Bunions: What They Are and How a Podiatrist Can Help

Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut, staffed by Dr. Joseph Treadwell and Dr. Christian Davis, can provide many podiatric treatments that minimize unnecessary pain and suffering. For example, bunions can cause Danbury & Plainville, CT residents, high amounts of pain that can be managed successfully with various treatment methods. Read on to learn more.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bump that forms on the joint near the base of the big toe. It can cause severe pain if it's allowed to worsen. Typically, a bunion happens when the bones in the front of the foot move out of place and push the big toe toward the smaller toes. This creates a bump that is often red and sore. 

Triggers for a bunion include wearing tight shoes, conditions like arthritis, athletic injuries to the area, or excessive strain on the foot. Note that a bunionette is a smaller type on your little toe. It's typically not as severe and is usually treated by the same method as a bunion. 

How To Treat It?

At Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut, Dr. Treadwell and Dr. Davis can treat bunions in Danbury & Plainville, CT, and ensure you get the help you need. We'll examine your feet with an X-ray to see where the bunion is at its worst. Then, we'll come up with a therapy plan that works for you, typically by trying more conservative approaches first. Care includes:

• Carefully changing or padding your shoes to provide extra support 
• Using various types of over-the-counter pain tools to avoid needless suffering 
• Trying shoe inserts that keep your toe strong and your bunion protected
• Icing the bunion to reduce swelling and ensure that your foot is strong and protected
• Surgical treatments that include removing swollen tissue around the joint 
• Removing parts of the bone to straighten out the joint properly 
• Realigning bones in the forefoot to improve the appearance
• Joining affected bones permanently to increase therapy success

After treatment, we can provide fitted shoes that minimize this problem's recurrence. We know that the pain caused by a bunion can be quite extensive, so make sure that you follow these steps. Contact us if you develop another bunion.

Who Can Help You?

Our Foot & Ankle Specialists of Connecticut team can help you with various health issues. Dr. Treadwell and Dr. Davis can treat your bunions in Danbury & Plainville, CT, and provide high-quality support that meets your needs. Call our Danbury office at (203) 748-2220 and Plainville at (860) 747-2200 to get your needed help. We'll do what we can to help you out here. We have offices in Plainville, and Danbury CT and serving the New Britain, Bristol, Southington, Farmington, New Fairfield and Ridgefield, CT, areas.