Pressure from your big toe may force your second toe out of alignment, sometimes causing it to overlap your third toe. If your bunion becomes too severe, it can even cause difficulty in walking. Your pain may become chronic and you may develop arthritis.
Most bunions can be treated conservatively with wider & softer shoes, pads to relieve the pressure and/or medications. If these corrective measures do not help then surgical treatment is indicated.
Bunion surgery, or bunionectomy, realigns the bone, ligaments, tendons and nerves so your big toe is brought back to its correct position and the bump on the inside of the joint removed. Many bunion surgeries are performed on a same-day basis (no hospital stays) using a local anesthesia. During your recovery it is common to have pain and swelling. This swelling and stiffness may be persistent for several months.
Hallux valgus, or bunions, refers to a condition of the progressive bone and joint disorder in your feet. This disorder appears as a bony bump on the side of the big toe joint. Hallux valgus results from a structural problem in the bones of the toes and foot, with the most affected joint being the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Consequently, the feet will not be able to line up properly.
Generally speaking, the symptoms of hallux valgus arise during adulthood; however, teenagers and children can also experience them. If the bunions occur near the base of the little toe, we refer to them as bunionettes or “tailor’s bunions.”
Your Foot and Ankle Surgeons at Foot HealthCare Associates provide the most advanced surgical techniques to correct bunion deformity and relieve pain. We also focus on performing the procedures in the most cosmetically appealing manner possible. “We fix feet beautifully.”
Many researchers believe that bunions are the result of genetics, where the parents transfer the genes responsible for bone structure to their children.
Scientists also identified several risk factors, including:
Overpronation – this refers to having uneven weight-bearing in one foot relative to the other. As a result, the joint of the big toe is more likely to be unstable.
Hypermobility – in some individuals, the big toe joint has more motion than it should, which predisposes them to hallux valgus.
Foot injuries – recurrent foot injuries can predispose you to joint deformation, and ultimately, hallux valgus.
Rheumatoid arthritis – this type of arthritis is notoriously known to cause joint deformation, especially in the absence of treatment.
Certain medical conditions – especially those that affect the nerves and muscles (e.g., polio).
Congenital defect of the foot – children born with structural abnormalities of their feet are more likely to develop hallux valgus.
Wearing high heels and narrow shoes – researchers disproved this factor to be a causing agent. Instead, wearing tight shoes may worsen already-existing bunions or trigger abnormal bone growth in genetically susceptible individuals.
Similar to most medical conditions, the treatment of hallux valgus falls under two categories:
The primary role of medication is to reduce the pain and swelling that is often seen with hallux valgus.
Your doctor may prescribe the following drugs:
Painkillers – examples of painkillers include the classic acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
Cortisone injections – for patients who want immediate relief and/or do not respond to over-the-counter drugs; corticosteroid injections most often reduce the swelling and improve symptoms of pain.
Other non-surgical techniques to relieve pain include wearing wider, more supportive shoes and bunion pads.
Orthotic therapy is also important, with or without surgery. Most patients with bunion deformity have faulty foot mechanics contributing to their condition. Custom orthotics, placed in your shoes, reduces mechanical stress on your feet by keeping them in their most anatomically correct, comfortable position. The doctors at Foot Healthcare Associates utilize precision-made, custom orthotic devices to provide our patients with the best and complete long-term solution to resolve bunion pain and help prevent the recurrence or progression of bunion deformities.
Surgical correction of bunions is a proven and effective treatment to resolve bunion deformity and pain, especially when non-surgical measures fail to do so.
The main indications of surgery include:
The goal of the surgery is to realign the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, relieve pain, and correct other deformities of the toe. Most important, the correction of a bunion deformity, allows our patients to engage in an active healthy lifestyle without being limited by foot pain.
During this procedure, your doctor will use pins, screws, and plates to realign the joint and the big toe.
Arthrodesis is typically recommended for individuals who had unsuccessful bunion surgery. The goal of this procedure is to remove the swollen joint surface, using screws, wires, and plates to maintain its structural integrity.
Patients with a severe form of hallux valgus or arthritis may also benefit from arthrodesis.
As the name implies, exostectomy refers to removing the bump that forms on the big toe. Surgeons usually perform this procedure along with osteotomy.
Resection arthroplasty focuses on removing the damaged portion of the affected joint, which creates more space between the toe bones. On occasion, a silicone or metal implant may be utilized.
The Best Novi Bunion Doctors provide foot and ankle treatment and surgery to patients in Livonia, Northville, Farmington, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Redford, Westland, Garden City, Dearborn Heights, Canton, Plymouth, Wayne, Novi, Southfield, Walled Lake, Wixom, Commerce, Milford, Highland, White Lake, Waterford, South Lyon, Brighton, Howell, Whitmore Lake, Lyon Twp, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Clawson, Centerline, Lathrup Village, Detroit, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Twp, Troy Pontiac, Rochester Hills and all other Metro Detroit areas.
47601 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48374
37595 W Seven Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48152
16001 W Nine Mile Rd
Southfield, MI 48075
3601 W 13 Mile Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48073
28050 Grand River Ave
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
36475 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
26750 Providence Pkwy
Novi, MI 48374
©Copyright 2025 Foot Healthcare Associates.
©Copyright 2025 Foot Healthcare Associates.
