Bunions

Bunions are a common foot deformity, and there are more than 400 surgical procedures to correct it. At Sports City USA Foot & Ankle Center in McKinney, Texas, foot and ankle specialist Benjamin Clair, DPM, is an expert at treating bunions. He gets an accurate weight-bearing X-ray to determine the most beneficial treatment. Call today or schedule your bunion consultation online. 

I have a painful bump on my foot. Is it a bunion?

Bunions are a foot deformity that causes a bony bump to form at the base of your big toe on the inside of your foot. It’s a common condition that occurs because of changes in the framework at the front of your foot.

The visible bump you see reflects a change in alignment between the two bones that make up the joint at the base of your big toe — the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP). The bunion forms because the long bone in the foot shifts toward the inside of your foot, while the first bone in your big toe shifts toward the outer part.

These structural changes cause the MTP to enlarge, creating the painful, bony bump.

When should I seek medical help for bunions?

You should schedule a bunion evaluation at Sports City USA Foot & Ankle Center as soon as you notice the deformity. Dr. Clair views bunions as a dynamic imbalance and structural and functional deformity that he can correct. 

Early diagnosis and treatment of your bunion gives you more options.

What happens during an evaluation for bunions?

At Sports City USA Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Clair takes a patient-centric approach, focusing on finding the treatment that can best help you. He asks detailed questions about your symptoms and how it affects your daily routine. He also reviews your medical and family histories.

He examines your foot and does a weight-bearing X-ray at the office to determine the degree of deformity and the most beneficial treatment. 

What are treatments for bunions?

Dr. Clair is trained in all of the latest techniques for bunions that have developed over the past several years. He tailors your plan based on the degree of your deformity, offering nonsurgical and surgical options.

Treatment for bunions may include:

• Change in footwear
• Use of foot padding
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Ice

Bunions are a progressive condition, and Dr. Clair recommends surgery when appropriate. Because of the advances in surgical techniques for bunions, recovery is faster. 

Call Sports City USA Foot & Ankle Center today or schedule your bunion consultation using the online booking button.