In Evansville, IN, Dr. Dusky Farmer and Dr. Charlotte Reisinger at Reisinger Farmer Podiatry offer comprehensive podiatric care. Our team treats various foot-related conditions, including bunions, plantar fasciitis, and ingrown toenails, to keep your feet healthy.

What Are Bunions?

Bunions are a foot-related complaint. Also referred to as Hallux Valgus, it’s a deformity on the foot's inner side where the big toe joint is. A bony lump develops, and the big toe starts to move towards the smaller toe because of the misaligned joint.

Bunions develop gradually but can significantly change how your foot looks in the long run. There is a genetic component, but bunions also develop from wearing shoes that are too tight, pinching the toes together. You can also develop bunions if you have flat feet or other podiatric conditions. Finally, an underlying inflammatory or neuromuscular condition can also cause bunions.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bunions?

The early signs and symptoms of bunions include:

• A visible bump on the inside of the foot that becomes bigger over time.
• Pain and tenderness may affect your ability to walk comfortably.
• Redness and inflammation
• A callus or patch of hard, dry skin on the bump.
• Trouble walking because your big toe has a limited range of motion.

Bunions often worsen over time because the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), which is the affected joint, must flex with every step you take. Bunions may also lead to other podiatric conditions like hammertoe and bursitis.

What Are the Treatment Options for Bunions?

In most cases, a bunion that is not painful does not require treatment. However, Dr. Farmer and Dr. Reisinger at Reisinger Farmer Podiatry, serving Evansville, IN, may recommend podiatric interventions if you are experiencing worsening pain and discomfort or starting to be affected by other podiatric conditions.

The goal of bunion treatment is to relieve the pain and pressure you are feeling and help prevent the bunions from growing anymore. Bunions don’t resolve on their own, and initially, treatment is conservation and includes options like:

• Custom orthotic devices to use in your shoes to relieve the pressure.
• Padding to prevent friction.
• Therapeutic exercise to improve joint mobility.
• Night splints or toe spacers for realignment.

If these treatments fail, your podiatrist may recommend surgical intervention, which requires limited movement for at least the first two weeks after the surgery.

Contact Us

For expert podiatric care, including treatment for bunions, choose Reisinger Farmer Podiatry in Evansville, IN. Dr. Farmer, Dr. Reisinger, and their team put the health of your feet first. If you want to schedule a consultation, please call (812) 421-8555.