Find out why bunions occur and what can be done about them.

Bunions are a very common foot deformity that often impacts the large joint at the base of the big toe. Anywhere from 10-25 percent of people will develop bunions. If left improperly managed, bunions can become so large and painful that they can alter the structure of your feet and impact everyday movement and activities. Before this happens let our Chicago, IL, podiatrists Dr. Marc Feder, Dr. Jason Kalk, and Dr. Jacob Richey help you get the proper care your feet deserve.

What Causes Bunions?

There are several causes for bunions including:

Genetics While you may not want to hear it, your genetics play a big role in whether you develop bunions. Therefore, if your parents or a close family member has a bunion, chances are good that you may develop one too. Certain foot structures are more prone to developing bunions or other foot deformities, and your foot structure is something you can thank your genes for.

Injury or Health Problems Foot injuries and certain health problems such as arthritis or neuromuscular disorders can increase your risk for developing bunions. If you have had a foot injury in the past or you’re dealing with a neuromuscular disorder, talk with our Chicago, IL, podiatrists about ways to manage your condition to prevent a bunion from forming.

Footwear The shoes you wear are also important for the health and structure of your feet. The reason so many women develop bunions is because of high heels. Shoes that put pressure on the big toe joint such as high heels will make it more likely to develop a bunion. It’s important to avoid high heels (heels over 2 inches) and shoes with pointed toes.

A combination of these factors contributes greatly to whether or not you develop bunions. While you can’t change certain health problems or your genes, you can protect your feet against injuries and make sure that you are wearing the proper footwear.

Our podiatrists can help you find the proper footwear or determine if custom orthotics could improve the overall function and structure of your feet to reduce your risk for bunions.

Affiliated Podiatrists is proud to provide compassionate, individualized care to patients in and around Chicago, IL. If you are dealing with a bunion, or think you might be, then call us today at (773) 202-8800 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Feder, Dr. Kalk, and Dr. Richey.

You can easily get your bunion pain under control with simple home care.

When was the last time you really looked at your feet? If you suddenly noticed that your big toe is leaning against the other toes and the joint at the base of the big toe is jutting out, then you could very well be dealing with a bunion. While bunions can happen to anyone, our Near North Chicago, IL, podiatrists Dr. Marc Feder, Dr. Jason Kalk and Dr. Jacob Richey see them most often in women.

If you have been diagnosed with bunions, there are simple strategies that you can implement in your daily life that can slow the progression of this common deformity and prevent you from needing surgery down the road. Here are some ways to manage your bunions,

• Avoid shoes that have a pointed toe or heels higher than 2 inches
• Wear shoes that have a wide toe box, provide ample cushioning and support, and are properly fitted
• Apply an ice pack for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling
• Take a pain reliever like ibuprofen when pain and swelling appear
• Lose excess weight (if overweight or obese), which can take the pressure off of your feet
• Apply a non-medicated pad to your bunion before putting on shoes (this can prevent friction and reduce the risk for a callus)
• Tape or brace the foot to realign the deformed joint
• Stretch and exercise your feet and toes every day to improve strength and mobility
• Consider wearing a splint at night while you sleep, which can also temporarily realign the joint

When to See a Podiatrist

If you don’t know whether or not your foot pain is caused by a bunion then it’s a good idea to see our Near North Chicago, IL, foot doctors for an evaluation. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a bunion by a qualified foot care professional and your at-home care isn’t providing you with the relief you need then this is another reason to come into our practice.

If you are dealing with moderate to severe bunion pain that isn’t responding to nonsurgical treatment options, then you may want to discuss with us whether a bunionectomy might be right for you.

Worried that you might be dealing with a bunion? Living with bunion pain around the Near North Chicago, IL, area? If so, call Affiliated Podiatrists today at (773) 202-8800 to schedule an evaluation with one of our foot and ankle professionals.

Bunions are not just unattractive—they can also cause pain and even affect your ability to walk, exercise, and even drive in severe cases. If a bunion is large enough, it can even make it difficult to fit into your shoes! In most cases, bunions can be managed and treated conservatively with just a few lifestyle adjustments and modifications. Unfortunately, bunions can also get progressively worse over time, causing pain and putting you at risk for joint damage. Here at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. in Chicago, IL, our podiatrists offer diagnostic and treatment options for bunions and other foot and ankle injuries and conditions—read on to learn how we can help your condition.

What Exactly is a Bunion?

Bunions are caused by damage to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and manifest themselves as bumps at the base of the big toe, sometimes going so far as to curve the big toe away from the joint and towards the other toes. Bunions can be painful and cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, calluses, and corns due to the friction between the bunion and your shoes. Arthritis in the MTP joint can also limit your range of motion and make movement painful.

What Causes Bunions?

Anyone can develop a bunion without an obvious underlying reason, but there are some factors that can increase your risk and make you more susceptible to bunions. Some of the biggest risk factors include:

• Wearing high heels and narrow shoes that crowd the toes
• Spending a lot of time on your feet
• Heredity and family history
• Have flat feet/low arches
• An injury to the joint
• Arthritis

How We Can Help

Generally, depending on the size of the bunion and the severity of your symptoms, our podiatrists initially recommend conservative treatments such as applying ice, taking medication (ibuprofen or cortisone), using a splint, or wearing supportive insoles/orthotics. However, if you have extensive joint damage, surgery is sometimes recommended to remove damaged tissue and repair the joint. To decide which treatment is best for your situation, we will examine your bunion during a consultation at one of our Chicago offices. At this point, we will then discuss your options with you in order to determine the best course of action.

Contact Us

For more information about your risk for developing bunions and the treatment options available to you, contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. by dialing (773) 202-8800 or (773) 696-4700 to schedule an appointment at one of our two Chicago locations.

How your podiatrists in Chicago, IL, can help with bunion pain

Bunions can make it difficult to go about your day. Bunions appear as hard, bony lumps on the side of your big toe, and are usually caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow, as they cause your toes to crush together. High heels add to the problem by pushing your toes forward, which is why bunions are more common in women. With two convenient office locations in Chicago, IL, the podiatrists at Affiliated Podiatrists can treat your bunions and relieve your pain. Read on to learn more about bunions, and call Affiliated Podiatrists for direct treatment!

More about Bunions

Narrow footwear isn’t the only factor that causes bunions. They can also be caused by a genetic bone deformity in your feet, a foot injury or trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or foot stress at work or from your activities.

For small bunions and minor bunion pain, you may get relief from a few simple treatments you can do at home. You can try:

• Icing your bunion several times during the day
• Taping around the bunion for additional cushioning
• Placing inserts or padding inside your shoes to support the bunion
• Changing to wider, more supportive footwear
• Taking Tylenol or ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain

If you have a larger, moderate or severely painful bunion, it’s time to visit your Chicago podiatrists. There are several effective treatments they may recommend, including:

• Removing calluses and corns to reduce friction
• Custom-fit orthotics and footwear to add support
• Physical therapy and stretching to maintain mobility
• Night splints to help realign your toe and foot
• Surgical therapy to remove the bunion, known as a bunionectomy

Need Bunion Treatment In Chicago? Give Us a Call!

Don’t put up with bunion pain when help is just a phone call away. For more information about bunions and other common foot conditions, call Affiliated Podiatrists today at either (773) 202-8800 for the N. Central Ave location or (773) 696-4700 for the office on W. Addison St.

When it comes to foot-related concerns, bunions aren't an easy problem to ignore and they don't get better without targeted treatment. They reshape your feet and toes, pushing them out of alignment, and they can cause other foot injuries. Find out how a foot doctor at Affiliated Podiatrists in Chicago, IL can treat your bunions.

Struggling with Bunions 
In their normal state, your feet are straight and flexible, with a slight arch on the inside. When they are affected by bunions, the front of the foot turns out of alignment. Instead of pointing straight forward, the large toe is bent toward the left side on the left foot, and the right side for the right foot. This causes the toe bone to move outward, producing a bump that looks like a growth on the foot. The other toes press together and become irritated or develop calluses. Bunions are unattractive, uncomfortable, and harmful to your feet in the long term.

Bunion Causes
To understand the source of your bunions, start by looking at the shoes that you wear on a daily basis. Shoes that squeeze the toes together or push them forward when you walk are the likely culprits behind bunions. If you have a family history of bunions or foot deformities, you may be more likely to develop this relatively common foot problem. Arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints, may also play a role in why some patients struggle with bunions.

Bunion Treatment Options
Your bunions can be successfully treated by your Chicago, IL foot doctor with non-invasive therapies and in severe cases, surgery. Here are some of the options that could help your case:

- Adding pads between the toes so that they’ll separate and realign.
- Orthotics to stabilize the foot joints.
- Night splinting to encourage better alignment of the big toe.
- Physical therapy and special foot exercises to make the feet flexible again.
- Injection therapy for pain.
- Bunionectomy (surgery for bunions).

No More Bunions 
Seek assistance from a foot doctor if you have noticed bunions starting to form on your feet. Call (773) 202-8800 today to schedule a visit to Affiliated Podiatrists in Chicago, IL.