Beaver Valley Foot Clinic  

A bunion is a condition where the bones in the toe are misaligned and cause pain, swelling, and even debilitating problems. If you have a bunion, we at Beaver Valley Foot Clinic can help give you the treatment you need.


What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a condition where the metatarsophalangeal joint of your big toe becomes deformed. This makes the bones shift toward the other toes at a wrong angle. This deformity also can cause the bones to develop excess bony material which may cause pain and irritation.


What Causes Bunions?

People usually develop bunions when they wear shoes that are small, narrow, and pointed at the front. This leaves very little room for the toes, and the big toe will start to develop a bunion as a result. Bunions develop more easily in people with weak ligaments and tendons. People who have occupations that cause them to put a lot of stress on their feet and toes may also develop bunions. 


What Should You Do if You Have a Bunion?

When you have a bunion, you should consider more conservative treatment methods before thinking about surgery. Try wearing shoes that have a roomy toe box. By giving your toes enough room, you won't exacerbate the problem. Try to keep yourself at a healthy weight because excess weight may put stress on your feet. Also, if you wear heels, don't wear anything with a heel higher than an inch. Gel inserts can give your foot and toes the support they need to help your bunion.

If your bunion is causing you pain, you can lessen it by soaking your foot in warm water. Ice packs placed on the bunion can ease pain, as well. For more stubborn pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications can be taken to reduce inflammation and pain. Having your foot massaged can relax stiff muscles and tendons. 


Types of Surgery

If your bunion is severe or is causing terrible pain, you may need to consider having surgery at a foot clinic or hospital. There are several types of bunion procedures available, and your doctor at the foot clinic can decide what surgery is best for you. Bunion surgery is a serious decision and should never be done for cosmetic reasons. It can take several weeks for your foot to heal if you undergo surgery, but the benefits are tremendous.

A bunionectomy is a common type of bunion surgery performed to fix mild deformities. During this procedure, the surgeon will shave off excess bone, and he will place the tendons, muscles, and other connective tissues in correct alignment. 

Severe bunion deformities can be fixed by osteotomy. This bunion surgery involves the surgeon rotating the bone and keeping it in place with screws or pins.


If you have a bunion, we at Beaver Valley Foot Clinic can provide you with the bunion surgery and treatment that you need. If you live in the Pittsburgh, PA area, give us a call today so we can begin your treatment.