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Bunion Specialist

Jim Francois, D.P.M., P.T, PA Our Services Bunion
Jim Francois, D.P.M., P.T, PA - - Foot & Ankle Surgeon

Jim Francois, D.P.M., P.T, PA

Foot & Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in North Miami Beach, FL

A common foot deformity, bunions occur when your big toe leans toward the second toe, causing misalignment of your bones. Foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Jim François offers diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bunions at his office in North Miami Beach, Florida. Don’t ignore the bony protrusion caused by bunions; find a solution instead. Call Dr. François office today to schedule your initial consultation, or book your appointment online. Dr.François also serves the communities of Aventura, Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Opa-Locka, and Sunny Isles, FL.

Bunion Q & A

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a bump that forms on the bottom joint of your big toe when your big toe drifts toward your second toe instead of pointing straight ahead. Called a hallux valgus, a bunion can change the framework of your foot over time and manifest in various symptoms like:

  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Redness
  • Burning
  • Numbness
  • Stiffness

Your bunions may cause severe symptoms, or you may have no other symptoms besides the physical bunion. Your symptoms may worsen with tight or ill-fitting shoes or after spending an extended period on your feet.

What causes a bunion?

In most cases, bunions result due to a faulty mechanical foot structure. This foot structure is often inherited and makes you more prone to developing bunions. If you have a faulty structure and wear shoes with a tight toe box or high heels, you can hasten the progression of your bunions, making them worse quicker.

Bunions also form when the foot becomes imbalanced. Your joints may become unstable, disrupting your tendons with abnormal force on your metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. This instability often develops over time and can manifest from the way you walk.

Other issues that can lead to bunions or make them more likely to occur include:

  • Foot injuries
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Flat feet (low arches)
  • Arthritis and other inflammatory joint disorders

How do you treat a bunion?

The severity of your bunion and its symptoms determine how Dr. François treats it. In mild cases, he may recommend simple treatments to ease pressure on your big toe to prevent the condition from progressing. He may suggest wearing a different type of shoe or padding the bunion to reduce pain and discomfort. Ice may also provide comfort and reduce swelling.

Dr. François may suggest corticosteroid injections, especially if your bunion is accompanied with an inflamed bursa. Custom orthotic devices can also offer relief.  These non-surgical options can manage your symptoms, but they can’t reverse your bunion.

In severe cases, Dr. François may opt for a surgical procedure that modifies the bones of your foot to correct the misalignment.

Don’t let your bunion go untreated. Call Dr. François’s office today to book your consultation or go online to schedule.

Conditions & Treatments