Studies show that up to thirty percent of adults aged eighteen to sixty-five will develop some form of a bunion on either one foot or both in their lifetime.

Bunions are considered aesthetically unpleasing and quite uncomfortable when wearing certain footwear.  However, Family Foot Center of Whitestone, Queens, New York has a solution to your bunions and will leave both you and your feet looking and feeling happy!

If you look down at your foot and see a bump developing to the side and bottom of your big toe, that is a bunion.  It is a deformity that occurs at the base of the big toe and pushes on the bones and related soft tissue structures deforming and stretching them.  Bunions are commonly genetic and passed down from one generation to another.  If one or both of your parents or grandparents had one you have a greater chance of getting one too.

Women who wear high heeled and tight fitting shoes which change the natural curvature and arch of the foot are at great risk for bunion formation.  Bunions develop at the base of the joint, making it painful to walk and engage in athletic activities.  The feet carry the entire weight of the body and the skin over a bunion will become inflamed from shoe pressure.

Bunion surgery, or a “Bunionectomy” is a common outpatient procedure performed daily in Podiatry Centers.  This procedure begins with an incision on the top or side of the large toe joint.  The area is put to sleep with a local anesthetic, but general anesthesia is rarely necessary.  Then the surgeon will remove the unwanted soft tissue and extra bone growths and reset the bones back to their proper position.  In total, this procedure will take about an hour or so.  Small surgical hardware such as wires, screws and plates may be used to secure the new positions of the bones and ensure that everything stays in place.  Recovery time is minimal and you will be back up on your newly shapen feet in no time!

If you are experiencing what seems to be a bunion, visit the Family Foot Center of Whitestone, Queens, New York for an evaluation.  Dr. Zawada will complete a comprehensive examination of both your feet and will let you know what the best surgical or non-invasive approach and procedure plan would be for your feet.  No two feet are the same, so make sure they are in good hands!

Professional treatment begins with taking your history, an examination, X-rays, and is followed by a treatment plan.

• Prescription pain reliever

• Medication to reduce swelling

• Custom shoe inserts (orthotics)

• Specially designed shoes

• Bunion Surgery

If you have or think you might have a bunion, or suffer from pain that might be due to a bunion, don’t hesitate.

Call FAMILY FOOT CENTER at 718-767-5555.