A bunion is a bump at the base of the big toe joint. This can become red and painful from rubbing against a shoe. Now that summer is nearing an end, flip flops and sandals are being replaced by closed toe shoes. This is very often when the bunion starts to feel inflammed.

Causes of bunions are usually hereditary (thank your parents and grandparents). Tight fitting shoes don't usually cause them but will certainly make them worse. Wearing good fitting and supportive shoes will help slow the progression down a bit. An imbalance in the gait, often called pronation or more correctly "hyperpronation" contributes to bunion formation. Your podiatrist can make custom orthotics which fit in your shoes to help control this.

Rest, ice, removing shoes,bunion pads,anti-inflammatory medications are some of the conservative methods of making a bunion feel better. Very often, surgery is needed to remove the bump. Your podiatrist will take X-Rays to evaluate the structure of the bones and review options with you. While often not very painful post-operatively, it may take up to 2 months before you are back running, jogging or dancing.