Bunions and Corns Flashcards
What is Bunions and Corns?
A bunion is a bump at the base of the big toe that can become very painful and make fitting into shoes difficult. NYC podiatrists frequently perform surgery on these deformities but conservative treatment options are also available. These deformities often worsen throughout ones lifetime and can cause wearing down of the joint cartilage as they progress. It is common to get cramping in the foot and bursitis with this deformity.
The bunion disrupts the alignment of the first metatarsal bone causing it to move towards the inside of your foot as your big toe tends to move in the other direction. The more your big toe moves outward, the more your metatarsal moves inward, creating an even larger deformity. Your big toe can start hitting your second toe creating an additional site of pain.
If you have a bunion causing severe pain, schedule a visit with a leading podiatrist in NYC, Dr. Sophia Solomon, as soon as possible.
All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.
Corns may form
Corns are thickened areas of skin caused by an increase in pressure or friction to an area. Corns can be caused by a prominent bone, limitations of joint motion, or certain shoes. Foot doctors see patients with bunions pretty much every day and many of them suffer from corns or calluses also.
If you are experiencing painful bunions, corns or calluses, speak to highest ranking NYC podiatrist Dr. Sophia Solomon about getting proper treatment. As a surgically trained foot doctor, she offers many conservative and surgical options to treat your foot pain.
Causes of Bunions and Corns
Most bunions form in adulthood, but they are sometimes present in kids. For bunions in children, the earlier bunions are diagnosed by your foot doctor, the better the chances of avoiding a severe deformity. Typical causes of bunions include:
Narrow shoes
High heel shoes
Flat foot
Arthritis(specifically rheumatoid arthritis)
Foot injuries
Abnormal foot development before birth
Tight tendons and muscles, including the Achilles tendon
Genetically inherited foot types
Each one of these factors can cause your foot to rest in an awkward position. If you experience this and ignore the problem, it can cause you to shift your weight and develop an unnatural gait, which can further complicate your condition. Your NYC podiatric doctor can advise you about the best methods to correct your walking posture and get appropriate treatment.
Corns, on the other hand, are typically caused by friction or pressure from tight shoes. They can also grow from a bone protrusion that presses against the skin of your foot.
According to the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, women are 10 times more likely to develop a bunion than men. Although men often suffer from painful bunions, especially those who must wear dress shoes to work.
Symptoms of Bunions
The first recognizable symptoms of bunion is a small bump just below your big toe. Bunions can also form below the little toe, and these bunions are referred to as bunionettes. As the bunion grows, you may experience any of the following symptoms which are important to mention to a podiatrist in New York during your examination:
Soreness and pain above the bony area
Pain on the skin where the bunion rubs against your shoe
Burning sensations
Numbness in the area surrounding the bunion
Thicker skin over the toe with the bunion
Joint swelling of the affected toe, especially after walking
Redness over the skin
Restricted movement in the affected toe joint
These symptoms can be painful and frustrating, as they affect your lifestyle by interfering with your exercise habits and restricting the kind of footwear you can enjoy. Without treatment from your NYC podiatric specialist, the bunion continues to grow to the point that even wide-toe shoes are painful to wear.
All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.
Corn Symptoms
You should see your NYC podiatrist if you find any of the following conditions to be true and you’re concerned with the growth of corns:
You have difficulty putting your feet into the usual footwear.
You feel pain while wearing different types of shoes.
You also have other health conditions — like poor circulation from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or recurring wounds from your corns.
You’re worried about the development of new corns.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Bunions and Corns
Your podiatric doctor in NYC can diagnose and treat bunions and corns. A visual examination generally is sufficient for diagnosis. You may be asked about your general medical health and genetic history. For example, your NYC foot doctor may want to know if bunions or corns run in your family.
Many different treatment options exist for bunions and corns. Most foot doctors agree that bunion surgery or corn removal surgery should be the last resort. For most patients, the discomfort caused by bunions and corns can be relieved by comfortably fitting shoes. There are also home remedies recommended by the NYC podiatric doctor, such as:
Reducing pressure with better-fitting shoes
Increasing circulation with hot packs, warm socks and massage
Reducing inflammation with ice
Improving flexibility through stretching exercises
Strengthening muscles through foot exercises
Splinting or wearing a splint at night to reform your foot over time
Corn-Specific Treatment
The typical treatment for corns consists of removing excess dead skin, relieving pressure and providing temporary pain relief. Home remedies for the removal of corns include pumice stones or files to buff away dead skin. Acid products that dissolve the excess dead skin are NOT recommended since they burn the skin and can dissolve healthy skin. Exercise caution with all home remedies as they can cause harm when not used properly.
If you are diabetic, it is recommended that visit a podiatrist for all foot care due to your risk for infection. If you have these symptoms you can benefit from the advice and treatment of your NYC foot doctor.
Reoccurrence of Bunions and Corns
Reoccurrence of bunions after surgery can happen but is unusual if proper orthotics are worn following the procedure. You can slow or even stop bunion growth by using custom orthotics. It is recommended to fix your bunion deformities individually rather than having both fixed at the same time – known as multiple-bunion surgery.
If the causes of corn formations aren’t properly addressed, they often reoccur. But if a leading podiatrist in NYC correctly diagnoses and treats the cause of your corn, it may not return. Consult an experts before trying to treat this at home.
All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.
