Bunions Specialist in Ocoee
About 23% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 65 have a bunion. Without adequate treatment, bunions can result in chronic foot pain and affect your mobility. At West Orange Podiatry, expert podiatrist Michael Laliberte, DPM, provides diagnoses and treatment of bunions to adults and teens. To make an appointment at the practice in Ocoee, Florida, call the office today or schedule online.
FAQ's About Bunions
A bunion is a swollen, bony bump that occurs on the outside edge of your foot at the base of the big toe. Bunions develop slowly and cause the bones in your toes to shift and change position.
Bunions are especially common in women. If you wear tight shoes that crowd your toes, like high heels, you’re more likely to experience this common foot-related health problem.
Common symptoms of bunions include:
- Pain and tenderness.
- Redness and inflammation.
- Rough skin on the bottom of your foot.
- A callus or corn on the bump.
If you have a bunion, you might also experience stiffness in your big toe. Over time, that can make it difficult to stand up or walk on your affected foot.
Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes bunions, but several factors are thought to contribute, including wearing poorly fitting shoes and having a family history of bunions. You’re also more likely to experience a bunion if you have an underlying inflammatory condition like foot and ankle arthritis.
To diagnose a bunion, Dr. Laliberte asks about your general health and symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and if any activities, like wearing certain types of shoes, make them worse.
Next, Dr. Laliberte carefully examines your foot. Bunions are easy to diagnose visually, but Dr. Laliberte still orders X-rays. X-ray imaging makes it easy for him to assess the alignment of your toes and to develop a custom treatment plan.
At West Orange Podiatry, Dr. Laliberte treats bunions with conservative methods of care whenever possible. He might recommend:
- Wearing more comfortable shoes.
- Using protective padding, like a “bunion shield” shoe insert.
- Custom orthotics.
- Toe spacers.
- Ice.
- Over-the-counter pain medication.
If your symptoms continue or worsen, even after conservative treatments, Dr. Laliberte might recommend bunion surgery. During bunion surgery, he realigns the bones, tendons, ligaments, and nerves in your toe, restoring your foot to its near-original function.