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Waldorf Office

(301)-843-9581

Clinton Office

(301)-868-3899

California Office

(301)-690-6044

Taking Care of Bunions

Bunions, those painful bumps on the side of your toes that leave you wishing you didn’t ever have to wear shoes. At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle we treat many patients in Clinton and Waldorf for bunions. Did you know that the visible bump on the outside is just the outward sign of an internal bone structure problem? A bunion is actually a deformity in the bone of the big toe caused by an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the toe. This enlargement causes the toe to move out of place and form the telltale bump. The pain comes from the friction of the bunion rubbing on the inside of your shoes.

What Causes Bunions?

It’s estimated that 33% of the population in the Western world suffers from bunions. The leading cause of bunions is wearing shoes that are too tight. While the bunions themselves are not hereditary, the faulty foot structure that causes them can run in families. Injuries, flat feet, neuromuscular problems, and pronated feet can also contribute to the formation of bunions.

Bunion Treatment and Prevention

Bunions won’t disappear on their own. Treatment has two goals: relief of pain and pressure from the bunion and stopping the progression of growth of the enlargement. Our doctors, Larry Hotchkiss, D.P.M.  and Gregory Cardinal, D.P.M. will conduct a thorough exam of your bunion noting its size and position and also ask you questions about the amount of pain you are experiencing and lifestyle issues that involve walking and standing. Among the treatments and suggestions for relief that they may recommend are:

  • Use protective padding to help reduce friction between shoes and the bunion.
  • Switch to custom fitted footwear that is designed to accommodate the bunion and keep it from growing
  • Try orthotic devices to help put the foot in the correct position and stabilize the joint.
  • Do exercises your foot doctor prescribes to prevent stiffness and increase joint mobility.
  • Use splints for nighttime to help toes and joint align properly. (This treatment if often prescribed for adolescents with bunions because their bones are still developing and more malleable.)

In cases where conservative approaches don’t bring enough pain relief or if the bunion is very large, a surgery known as a bunionectomy may be advised.

Don’t wait; get relief for your bunion pain. Call either our Clinton or Waldorf office to set up an appointment with our professionally trained and experienced podiatrists today.

Our Locations

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule (Closed for Lunch from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm)

Clinton Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Waldorf Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

California Office

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed