If you have a bunion or hammertoe, it can keep you from activities you love, like playing sports or going hiking. At Optima Foot and Ankle, with the convenient location in Bend, Oregon, expert podiatrists Laura Schweger, DPM, and Evan M. Ross, DPM, specialize in diagnosing and treating both bunions and hammertoes. To request your appointment today, call the office nearest you or book online at your convenience.
A bunion is a bulging, bony bump that develops on the outside edge of your foot, usually at the base of your big toe. It occurs when the bones at the front of your foot move out of place, causing your big toe to press up against your other toes. Ultimately, this pushes the joint outward, causing pain, swelling, and discomfort.
The symptoms of bunions vary depending on their size and severity. Common telltale signs include:
As your bunion gets worse, you might also lose range of motion in your big toe.
Hammertoe is a painful foot deformity that results from an imbalance of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your feet. Ultimately, this causes your toe to freeze in a curved, hammerhead-like position. Without intervention, a hammertoe may lock in place, causing pain and negatively affecting your mobility.
The most obvious symptom of hammertoe is a visible bend in one or more toe joints. Depending on the type of shoes you wear, you might also develop corns, calluses, or blisters on the top of your affected toe.
To diagnose bunions and hammertoe, your Optima Foot and Ankle provider conducts a physical exam, asks you about your symptoms, and reviews your medical history. To rule out other potential problems, they might also order an X-ray or MRI to get a closer look at the bones, joints, or supporting structures in your feet and toes.
Treatment of bunions and hammertoe depends on the severity of the condition and its effect on your quality of life. Usually, the providers recommend conservative treatments like lotions, pain-relieving gels, and sprays. You might also benefit from custom orthotics, a padded boot, or splint.
If the pain caused by a bunion or hammertoe doesn’t improve or gets worse, surgical intervention may be necessary. The team regularly performs bunion surgery and hammertoe surgery using both traditional and minimally invasive means such as Lapiplasty.
To request your bunions and hammertoe appointment at Optima Foot and Ankle today, call the office nearest you or book online at any time.
