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Bunion Specialist

Innjea Park, DPM -  - Podiatrist

Innjea Park, DPM

Podiatrist located in Staten Island, NY & Murray Hill, Midtown East, New York, NY

Bunions are not only ugly but also very painful as they grow larger. If you don’t get help for bunions, they can eventually push your big toe on top of your second toe, causing severe pain. If you’re struggling with bunions, use online booking or call to schedule a visit with expert podiatrist Innjea Park, DPM. With office locations in Murray Hill, Midtown East, Financial District, and Staten Island, New York, help is nearby.

Bunion

What are bunions?

A bunion is a bone malformation that occurs when your metatarsophalangeal joint in your big toe swells considerably. Eventually, your big toe starts shifting until it puts pressure on your other toes. Sometimes, your big toe even overlaps your second toe completely. If untreated, bunions can cause severe pain. Bunions can also make it very difficult to walk normally.

Am I likely to get bunions?

Certain groups are more likely to develop bunions. Most bunion sufferers are women, and this may be tied to wearing high heels or other shoes that aggravate the metatarsophalangeal joint. If your parents or other close family members suffer from bunions or other foot structure problems, you're more likely to have them yourself.

What is the treatment for bunions?

Bunions don't go away on their own. In fact, your bunions are likely to grow much worse if you don't seek help. Dr. Park has two main treatment goals: alleviating your symptoms and preventing the bunion from continuing to grow. Some simple noninvasive changes can make a big difference when it comes to bunion symptom relief. These changes may include:

  • Changing your footwear and avoiding tight shoes
  • Custom orthotics for your shoes
  • Protective padding against your bunions
  • Prescribed exercises to preserve your joint mobility

In the majority of cases, bunion sufferers can achieve relief from pain with the simple noninvasive treatments above. However, if you wait until the bunions are severe to seek treatment, you may need surgery to get true bunion relief.

If the noninvasive treatments don't help, Dr. Park can remove your bunions and then reposition your big toe in a surgery called a bunionectomy. If you have ligament damage around your big toe, Dr. Park can either shorten or lengthen the ligaments to correct that damage.

If you have bunion surgery, it's very important that you adhere to all of Dr. Park's recovery instructions closely. If you don't wear appropriate footwear and take precautions to protect your toe joint in the future, the bunion could come back.

If your bunions have you bummed, use the online booking tool or call the office now to schedule your consultation with Dr. Park.