A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe or on the joint of your little toes. A bulging bump is often the most noticeable symptom of a bunion, though persistent or intermittent pain and restricted movement of your big toe can also mean that you have a bunion on your foot. Luckily, your podiatrist can easily treat bunions so you can walk comfortably. Here is a look at what could be causing your bunions and how your podiatrist can help treat them.

Pressure Imbalance
The most common cause of bunions is a pressure imbalance on your big toe. In other words, bunions develop when the pressures of bearing and shifting your weight fall unevenly on the joints and tendons in your feet. This imbalance makes your big toe join unstable, and eventually causes the joint to mold into a hard knob that bulges and juts out beyond the normal shape of your foot.

Deformities or Inherited Foot Type
Congenital foot or joint problems can also cause bunions later on in your life. Some inherited foot types, such as flat feet and extended arches, may also cause the pressure imbalances that cause bunions to develop. If you have congenital feet problems, visit your podiatrist to learn about shoe inserts that can help prevent bunions and other discomfort.

If you have bunions, Dr. Stanley J. Zawada and the Family Foot Center staff can help. Dr. Zawada and the Family Foot Center has provided quality care to those suffering from foot pain and problems for over 25 years. Call (718) 767-5555 to learn how your foot doctor at the Family Foot Center in Whitestone, NY can help with all of your foot problems.

Despite bearing all of your weight, your feet are fairly sensitive and more prone to injury than you might think. For one thing, feet and toes are very susceptible to broken bones, strains, sprains, and similar injuries. There is also a long list of diseases and conditions that can affect feet and toes, including bunions, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, Achilles tendinitis, bone spurs, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

No matter what type of foot pain or problem you are experiencing, Dr. Stanley J. Zawada and the Family Foot Center staff can help. Visit your new foot doctor at the Family Foot Center in Whitestone, NY to learn how he can treat all of your foot ailments. If you have questions for Dr. Zawada or the Family Foot Center staff, call (718) 767-5555 today.

Bunions are painful, enlarged growths on your big toe or smaller toe joints. Imbalanced shifting and uneven weight distribution can cause tendons and joints to develop hard, calloused growths that extend beyond the normal shape of your foot. In this video, Dr. Richard Jacoby, President of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons and Director of the Scottsdale Neuropathy Institute, discusses bunions. In particular, Dr. Jacoby discusses why women are at a higher risk of developing bunions than men.

If you suffer from bunions, contact Dr. Stanley J. Zawada at the Family Foot Center in Whitestone, NY. For more than 25 years, Dr. Zawada has been one of the leading podiatrists in Queens. Visit our website or call us at (718) 767-5555 to learn how Dr. Zawada and the Family Foot Center staff can alleviate your foot problems, including bunions.

You may not recognize the medical term plantar fasciitis, but if you have it you definitely feel its effects. That’s because plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your tones and supports the arch of your foot. If you strain or injure your plantar fascia, or if it gets weak or inflamed, your heel and/or the bottom of your foot will hurt when you stand or walk. Fortunately, it’s easy to find relief from plantar fasciitis, especially if you work with a reputable foot doctor in Queens. Here’s how you can find relief from your heel pain.

Home Treatment
Treatment for plantar fasciitis typically starts at home. Rest your feet and stop any activities that may be causing or exacerbating your heel pain. Make sure you are wearing supportive footwear. You may even want to ask your foot doctor about shoe inserts. Ice and heat can help reduce inflammation, as can ibuprofen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Medication
In addition to over-the-counter NSAIDs, your foot doctor may recommend corticosteroid shots if you have had symptoms of plantar fasciitis for more than six to eight weeks. Doctors may recommend shots sooner for some people depending on the pain and discomfort reported.

Surgery
Although approximately 95 percent of people who have plantar fasciitis are able to relieve heel pain using home treatment or medication, your foot doctor may recommend surgery if other treatments have not helped reduce your pain and discomfort. Plantar fascia release is the main type of surgery for plantar fasciitis, though other procedures can also help treat heel pain.

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Stanley J. Zawada at the Family Foot Center in Whitestone, NY. For more than 25 years, Dr. Zawada has provided quality foot care for individuals suffering from foot pain and problems. Contact Dr. Zawada online or call the Family Foot Center at (718) 767-5555 to schedule an appointment.