The Bothersome Bunion

Jasper is surrounded by some beautiful golfing opportunities, including Country Oaks to the north and Christmas Lake to the south. Friends, couples, and business partners can spend the day strolling these beautiful and challenging greens, but it might not be such an enticing prospect if a bunion is along for the round, too.

A bunion is a bony bump that appears at the joint at the base of the big toe. It is sometimes referred to as a growth, but is really a shifting of the bones and joint, causing the big toe to shift inward toward its neighboring toes. The skin can become thick and callused, there can be swelling and soreness, and sometimes it also becomes harder to move the big toe.

The imbalances that causes the bump to form can result from several different factors. Some people are simply born with an inherited foot shape that increases their risk of bunions. In other cases, past trauma to the foot or arthritis might cause shifting or a change in the way someone walks, causing an uneven distribution of force and a bunion more likely to appear.

There is still some argument as to whether high heels or tight-fitting shoes actually cause bunions, but they do seem to help one that already exists become worse. Although women are statistically more likely to suffer from the condition, anyone can have it—even children.

Dr. Timothy Barry and the staff at Family Foot & Ankle Center of Jasper are experts in bunion treatment. There are both conservative and surgical methods for finding relief, and we can discuss the best course of action for you. The earlier a bump is addressed, the more likely it is that treatments can be successful! Give us a call at (812) 481-7200 and take the first steps toward making your feet feel great again.