Though they most often affect the feet of older women, bunions can affect anyone. This condition, which often begins painlessly, can 
quickly take a toll on your physical well-being and affect standing and walking. However, understanding the symptoms of bunions can help you identify them and find the best treatment for you. Learn more about bunions and their treatments with Dr. James Kent at East Texas Foot Ankle Centers in Tyler, TX.
What is a bunion?
Bunions occur on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe’s joint. The bunion itself is a bony growth which, as it gets larger, causes the big toe to grow toward the outside of the foot. In turn, the toes begin to overlap, causing secondary conditions like corns and calluses. Due to their location, bunions bear the weight of the body, causing severe pain and discomfort. While bunions occur more often in women, men can also develop a bunion, as can people of any age. Obesity, wearing ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes, abnormal foot shape, or rheumatoid arthritis can put a person at a higher risk of bunion development.
Do I have a bunion?
While bunions begin painlessly, they become more uncomfortable as they grow. Some of the signs and symptoms of a bunion include:
- a lump at the base of the big toe
- pain or discomfort
- swelling, redness, or irritation around the big toe
- decreased range of motion of the big toe
- overlapping of the smaller toes
Bunion Treatments in Tyler, TX
Patients can prevent their early stage bunions from growing larger by avoiding narrow, tight, or high-heeled shoes and wearing shoes which allow the toes to lie flat. Untreated bunions which have grown to the point of being uncomfortable may require treatments such as bunionectomy. This surgical procedure allows your doctor to remove the bunion completely and, if necessary, reposition and realign the bones and connective tissues in the smaller toes so they lay normally.
For more information on bunions and bunion treatments in the Tyler, TX area, please contact Dr. Kent at East Texas Foot Ankle Centers. Call (903) 939-3668 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kent today!