Are you one of the millions of Americans who have bunions? At Foot & Ankle Center of Fox Valley in Naperville, IL Dr. Nancy Jagodzinski offers a range of treatments--many of them non-surgical--to correct foot aesthetics and to allow you to walk comfortably again. Learn more here about bunions--or Hallux valgus-- and how you can feel comfortable and function at your best.

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump located on the side of the foot at the juncture between the forefoot and the big toe. Often bulging, red and callused, a bunion can force the big toe in toward the second and even third toes, and hammertoes, a claw-like deformity of the second, third and forth toes, often develop.

Who gets bunions?

More women than men get bunions, says the American Podiatric Medical Association. Excessive body weight, standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces and narrow-toed shoes with very high heels contribute to bunion formation. While some people exhibit no symptoms at all, many of Dr. Jagodzinski's patients truly suffer with pain, numbness, corns and calluses and difficulty walking.

Bunion treatments

If you suspect you have a bunion, come to Foot & Ankle Center of Fox Valley for a complete podiatric examination. Your foot doctor will look at your foot and watch how you walk. Some people with bunions overpronate their feet as they walk--in other words, roll the feet inward, flattening them, and placing undue pressure on the area of the bunion. Plus, Dr. Jagodzinski will X-ray your feet to view the joints. Based on exam results, she'll devise a treatment plan to manage your bunion and stop it from worsening.

Treatments may include:

• Stretching exercises
• Shoe padding and custom-made orthotics (inserts which correct how you place your feet as you walk)
• Over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Wearing shoes with lower heels and sufficient room in the toes

Surgery known as bunionectomy is an option for extreme cases. The foot doctor removes the bunion and re-aligns the big toe, stabilizing it. Dr. Jagodzinski offers a procedure which effectively hides the incision for a pleasing result. While this surgery may be performed in-office, the surgery does require rest at home, immobilization and sufficient downtime to heal the foot completely.

Make your bunion better

Seek capable and compassionate treatment from Dr. Nancy Jagodzkinski at the Foot & Ankle Center of Fox Valley in Naperville, IL. Don't wait. Call the office today for an appointment: (630) 778-7670.