Bunions

Bunions can cause embarrassment, foot pain, and difficulty wearing your own shoes. At Susz Podiatry & Wound Care, elite board-certified podiatrist John Susz DPM, FACFAS, and the team of specialists treat bunions using the most innovative and effective approaches, including Lapiplasty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes bunions?

A bunion occurs when the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the bottom of your big toe shifts out of place. This creates a prominent bump on the side of your big toe. While the bony bump looks like the main problem, bunions actually start much deeper in the foot. They begin when an unstable joint in the middle part of your foot shifts, causing a gradual chain reaction that eventually leads to the MTP joint shifting out of place.

The root cause of bunions is usually genetics. You may have a propensity for bunions due to the foot structure you inherited from your parents. Changes in weight, pregnancy, injury, and other factors can also shift the alignment of bones in the feet, potentially leading to bunions. Shoes don’t directly cause bunions; however, if you’re prone to bunions, wearing high heels can certainly cause them to develop faster or worsen them.

When do bunions need treatment?

Bunions won’t go away on their own. Unfortunately, they’re a progressive disorder in which the bump worsens steadily over time. Therefore, it’s important to treat bunions as early in their development as possible. Some of the signs of a developing bunion that needs treatment are:

Soreness or pain on the side of your big toe
Bump on the side of your big toe
Big toe starting to tilt toward (or overlap) your other toes
Difficulty wearing closed-toed shoes
Callus or corn over a bony bump
Stiffness or limited movement of your big toe

Seeking treatment for a bunion now can completely resolve these issues and prevent the problem from returning.

Should I have surgery for bunions?

Bunion treatment varies with each patient. The Susz Podiatry & Wound Care team evaluates your needs and wishes to determine what treatment is right for your bunion. Nonsurgical treatments, such as orthotics, toe spacers, and pads, can offer temporary relief and may keep your bunion from worsening.

However, only surgical treatment can remove a bunion and prevent its return. The team performs the most advanced leading-edge bunion procedure, Lapiplasty®, to correct bunions starting at their source: in the middle of the foot. Lapiplasty stabilizes the midfoot and corrects the normal alignment of the MTP joint, restoring your foot’s appearance and relieving your symptoms.