Bunion Treatment in Houston
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe that forms when the first metatarsal bone shifts out of alignment. At Foot Specialists of Memorial, our podiatrists offer complete bunion care, from conservative treatments that relieve pain to advanced Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction for lasting results.
request an appointmentWhat Causes Bunions?
Bunions are a progressive deformity. The big toe drifts toward the second toe while the metatarsal bone behind it leans outward and rotates, creating the visible bump. Inherited foot structure and an unstable joint near the middle of the foot are leading causes. Tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes, flat feet, and arthritis can make bunions develop faster and hurt more.
Bunion Symptoms
- A bony bump on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint
- Pain, redness, swelling, or stiffness at the joint
- Calluses or corns where the toes overlap
- Difficulty finding comfortable shoes
- Pain in the ball of the foot or second toe
Untreated bunions often lead to related problems such as hammertoes and nerve irritation similar to Morton’s neuroma.
Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment
For mild bunions, conservative care can relieve pain and slow progression. Options include wider shoes with a roomy toe box, protective padding, custom orthotics that improve foot mechanics, anti-inflammatory care, and activity modification. These treatments do not reverse a bunion, but they can keep many patients comfortable for years.
Lapiplasty and Bunion Surgery
When bunion pain interferes with daily life or the deformity continues to worsen, surgery may be the best option. Our surgeons specialize in Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction, which realigns the metatarsal in all three dimensions and stabilizes the unstable joint at the root of the problem. This approach lowers the risk of recurrence and allows many patients to bear weight in a surgical boot soon after surgery. See real results in our before and after gallery, or visit our conditions treated page to learn about other problems we treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bunion
What causes bunions?
Bunions are usually caused by inherited foot structure and joint instability, and they can be worsened by tight shoes, flat feet, and arthritis.
Do bunions get worse over time?
Yes. Bunions are progressive and typically worsen without treatment.
Can bunions be treated without surgery?
Wider shoes, padding, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory care can relieve pain and slow progression, but they cannot reverse the deformity.
When is bunion surgery recommended?
Surgery is recommended when pain limits daily activities or the bunion continues to worsen despite conservative care.
What is Lapiplasty?
Lapiplasty is a 3D bunion correction procedure that realigns the metatarsal and stabilizes the unstable joint to correct the root cause of the bunion.
Can bunions come back after surgery?
Recurrence is possible with some techniques. Lapiplasty is designed to lower that risk by correcting the joint instability that causes bunions.
Are bunions related to hammertoes?
Yes. Bunions can crowd the smaller toes and contribute to hammertoes, and both can often be corrected together.
Find Relief from Bunion in Houston
Our podiatrists are ready to help. Call our Gessner office at (713) 464-3775 or our Greenhouse office at (281) 371-3338, or request an appointment online.