Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

What are bunions and what causes them?

Have you ever seen someone with what seems like a large big toe joint? Perhaps you suffer from this condition yourself. The deformed portion of the foot is called a bunion and they may or may not have symptoms other than the physical enlargement of the joint area. However, when complications arise, it can lead to conditions such as foot pains, bursitis, hammertoe, or metatarsalgia.

If you have bunions and you are experiencing pain and swelling, please contact our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll of Crofton Podiatry. He will work with you to find a way to manage pain or fix your bunions.

So what are bunions?

Bunions, which mostly commonly affect women, can form when there is uneven pressure placed on the big toe joint. When your feet experience this type of pressure repeatedly, it can cause the area around the joint to form a hard bony protrusion. Actually, bunions can occur near the big toe or the little (pinky) toe. The part that sticks out is usually due to a misalignment in the joint and possibly additional bone growth. A fluid filled sac near the joint can also contribute to the protrusion, and can become red, swollen, and painful if it becomes inflamed. This deformity can continue to progress and persist.

What are the causes?

  • Genetics – Some people have inherited traits that make their feet prone to certain foot types, especially over-pronation that may put more pressure toward the big toe joint.
  • Foot injuries – If a foot injury results in a misalignment of the joints around the big toe, it can contribute to the formation of bunions.

  • Birth deformities – When there have been deformities during birth, it can lead to a protruded big toe joint.

  • High heels or shoes that do not fit well – Women seem to be affected by bunions more commonly due to the shoes they may wear.  Wearing high heels puts more pressure on the front of the foot, which can force bunion growth. Shoes that do not fit well because they are too pointed or too narrow force the toes and other parts of the foot into a position that is unnatural.

  • Arthritis – Those that suffer from arthritis pain may walk with a different gait, which can make prone to bunion formation.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about bunions, please schedule an appointment at our office located in Crofton, MD or call us at 410-721-4505. We use the latest technology to offer comprehensive care, including sports medicine, surgical remedies, and laser therapy.

 

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Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed