Are you dismissing the new — or old — bump on the side of your big toe joint? What you are seeing is most likely a bunion, a type of progressive toe deformity. To your surprise, it may not be causing pain. We encourage you, however, to visit a podiatrist regardless of how your toe feels at the time. A bunion is known as a toe deformity because the bones in the big toe joint are out of alignment. The misalignment will only continue to worsen.

Dr. Anant Joshi at Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC treats patients who have this toe deformity. Another example of a condition with a misalignment is a hammertoe. For each of these cases, contacting a podiatrist is the best first step. If you are thinking about ignoring this condition, here are three reasons to think again:

Pain may pop up

While some patients aren’t bothered by this condition, others may have a different story. Bunions can become very painful, especially if they are rigid. In the early stages of progression, this type of deformity can be flexible. During this phase, there is the greatest opportunity to make improvements without considering surgery.

Other toes can feel the impact

Do you remember the misalignment problem with this condition? Well, the growing size of a bunion can impact the surrounding toes. They, too, can become misaligned. We want to help you prevent the impact on other toes. It is best to monitor the alignment and take steps to prevent it from worsening.

Calluses are calling

As your bunion grows, you can guarantee that it is rubbing against the inside of your shoe. This friction is the top cause of a callus, which is a spot of thickened skin. It is your body’s defense against exposure to too much friction. If you aren’t paying attention, your bunion can bring on many other problems.

How can we help? We can tell you what’s happening with your bunion. Is it still flexible or has it become rigid to require surgery? Our job is to help you take more comfortable steps and care for your toe deformity in the best way. Surgery is not the only option; consider pads, cushioning, and even custom orthotics. At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi treats a range of conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, athlete’s foot, complications from diabetes, fractures, fungal toenails, and more. He also performs foot and ankle surgery. He is a board-certified podiatrist in Woodland Park, NJ. Contact the office at 973-256-0002.