What Are Bunions?

Residents of New Braunfels, TX suffering from bunions will find themselves in the right place when they visit the husband-and-wife team, Dr. Brandon James and Dr. Sarah James, at the Foot & Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels. Patients will find our team friendly, experienced, and accommodating. We also offer in-house digital x-rays for your convenience.

What Are Bunions?

Bunions, or Hallux Vagus, are painful bony bumps that occur on the inside of the foot when the base joint of the big toe starts to develop sideways, leaning towards the smaller toes. This condition has a genetic component and is more prevalent in women than in men, especially if they are inclined to wear tight shoes that apply continuous pressure to that area. 

Bunions develop gradually and, ultimately, if left untreated, may become painful and affect your ability to wear shoes and walk comfortably.

What Are the Symptoms of Bunions?

Drs. James and their team at the Foot & Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels recommend that you look out for the following symptoms if you believe you have bunions in the New Braunfels, TX area.

• Pain or stiffness in the big toe joint area, including arthritis
• Excessive swelling
• Struggling to find shoes wide enough to fit your feet
• A big toe that leans sideways towards the smaller toes
• A bump on the inside of your foot and hard or thick skin under your toe.
• Difficulty walking and decreased flexibility in your big toe.

What Is the Treatment for Bunions?

If you have bunions, you’ll be pleased to know that surgical and non-surgical options are available for you. Non-surgical options include the following:

• Using over-the-counter medication to relieve any symptoms of pain.
• Changing your footwear to shoes that fit you better and provide more wiggle room for your toes.
• Silicone pads inside your shoes to cushion your feet
• Orthotics, including toe spacers or straighteners to correct the position of your toes

There are several surgical options if non-surgical options have the desired outcome. The most common surgical procedure for bunions is a bunionectomy. The bunionectomy corrects the toe positioning by removing a small part of the bone and any swollen tissue that may be present. Full recovery takes approximately eight weeks, but you can walk almost immediately after the surgery if everything goes normally.

Contact Us

Don’t allow yourself to suffer from bunions in the New Braunfels, TX area when help is only a phone call away. The husband-and-wife team, the Drs. James and their experienced staff are on hand to assist in their modern facility, the Foot & Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels. Call us at (830) 387-4427 today.