Bunion or arthritis? Your podiatrist can tell you!Do you have a big bump on the outside of your foot? Do you assume that means you have a bunion? Well, you may be correct, but then again, it may be an entirely different problem. Intrigued? Read on!

Here’s the deal: a bunion (known in Latin as a Hallux Valgus) is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Your big toe joint becomes enlarged, forcing the toe to crowd against your other toes. This puts pressure on your big toe joint, pushing it outward beyond the normal profile of your foot (this is usually painful.) Bunions can also occur on the joint of your little toe (tailor’s bunion).

The key to take note of when you have a bunion is that the movement of the toe is what causes the bump to form; but, there are other conditions characterized by a bump on the foot that are not bunion-related!

One condition, known as Hallux Rigidus, can also cause you to develop a bump on the side of your foot, but in this case, the bump formation is actually a symptom of an arthritic condition having nothing to do with the movement of your toe joint.

To the naked eye, it can be very difficult to distinguish between a bunion bump and an outgrowth associated with Hallux Rigidus, but the treatment plans are very different so that, of course, is where your Houston podiatrist should come into the picture.

If you are experiencing foot pain or discomfort or have noticed an unusual growth on your foot, schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrew Schneider immediately so we can determine the best possible treatment

Dr. Andrew Schneider
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A podiatrist and foot surgeon in Houston, TX.