Pop quiz: What’s a bunion?
A: Tender growth on the inner foot caused by wearing high heels
B: Giant lumberjack with superhuman strength and a pet blue ox
C: Bony protrusion on the inside of the big toe caused by joint misalignment
D: Onion-flavored bread bed for a burger patty
If you guessed anything but C, you need to watch our interview with Roper St. Francis Healthcare podiatrist Dr. Brian Ralph to learn more about this common condition (then brush up on your folklore and pop a breath mint). And if you guessed C, well, you should still watch the video, since bunions are one of the top five conditions treated by podiatrists.
A bunion forms when the bones of the big toe joint angle away from the foot, causing the big toe to turn inward. This anatomical condition, often seen in those who are hypermobile, worsens over time, with the big toe slowly sliding under the second toe until it, too, dislocates. When a bunion progresses beyond a cosmetic crux to a painful problem, a visit to a primary care doctor or podiatrist is the next step.
After nearly 30 years in the field, Dr. Ralph has seen tremendous strides in the surgical treatment of bunions, including faster recovery times with less pain. In this video, the podiatrist explains how a 30- to 60-minute outpatient operation can permanently realign the toe joint to put a patient back on their feet right away and in tennis shoes within six weeks. He also shares which DIY fixes to not to waste money on and debunks common myths about this pedal problem.