About 23% of people between the ages of 18-65 have a bunion. Though painful, these bony growths are relatively easy to treat. At Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, double board-certified podiatrist Marque Allen, DPM, offers cutting-edge Lapiplasty® to remove bunions and prevent them from coming back. To make an appointment at one of the two locations in San Antonio, Texas and Alamo Heights, Texas, call the nearest office today or click the online booking feature.
A bunion is a hard, bulbous growth that forms on the outer edge of your foot at the base of your big toe. They occur when the bones in the front of your foot become misaligned, resulting in a visible abnormality.
Bunions affect people of all ages and races, but they’re especially common in women. That’s because many women wear shoes that crowd their toes, which can cause a bunion to develop.
Symptoms of bunions include:
As the bunion grows, you might also experience difficulty straightening or bending your affected toe.
Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes bunions, but several factors are thought to contribute, including genetics and wearing tight shoes that push your toes together.
You’re also more likely to experience a bunion if you have an underlying inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
To diagnose a bunion, Dr. Allen asks about your symptoms and physically examines your foot and toe. Bunions cause an obvious bulge to form, so they’re easy to detect visually.
If Dr. Allen is concerned about the alignment of your toe, he might also order X-rays to get a closer look at the bones and joints in the front of your foot.
Treatment of a bunion at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio depends on several factors, including the size of the growth and its effect on your quality of life. Usually, Dr. Allen recommends conservative treatments like:
If your bunion doesn’t respond to these treatments, you might qualify for state-of-the-art Lapiplasty. Lapiplasty does more than remove your bunion. It uses advanced fixation technology to improve the alignment of your bones, allowing you to walk comfortably within a few days of your procedure.
To receive treatment for painful bunions, make an appointment at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio by calling the nearest office today or clicking the online booking feature.
