Bunion Pain? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options Explained by Dr. Drew Taft

That painful bump on the side of your big toe is more than just a cosmetic problem — it's a progressive bone deformity that gets worse over time if left unaddressed. The good news is that there is a lot we can do to relieve your pain and slow the progression, and surgery is not always the answer. In this video, Dr. Dr. Drew Taft of Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern New Hampshire explains what a bunion actually is, what causes it, and the honest truth about which treatments work — and which ones don't. 📌 What You'll Learn: • What a bunion really is (it's not just extra bone) • The role of genetics vs. footwear in bunion development • Symptoms that tell you the bunion is progressing • How we evaluate bunions with weight-bearing X-rays • The honest truth about pads and splints • Effective treatments: orthotics, injections, laser, and EPAT • The difference between cortisone and amniotic injections for bunions • When surgery is the right choice 🦶 You don't have to live with bunion pain. 📞 Call our office: 603-432-2508 🌐 Visit us online: www.footandanklesnh.com 📍 Serving Southern New Hampshire — Derry, NH ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction & Teaser 0:30 — Meet Dr. Dr. Drew Taft 1:00 — Like, Subscribe & Share 1:15 — What Is a Bunion? 2:30 — Causes & Risk Factors 4:00 — Symptoms & Progression 5:30 — How We Diagnose It 6:30 — Treatment Options 9:30 — When Should You See a Podiatrist? 10:30 — Closing & How to Reach Us ❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Q: What is a bunion? A: A bunion (hallux valgus) is a progressive bone deformity where the first metatarsal bone shifts outward while the big toe leans inward toward the second toe. This creates the characteristic bump on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe joint. It is a structural problem, not simply a growth of extra bone. Q: What causes bunions? A: The primary cause is genetics — you inherit a foot type or mechanical structure that predisposes you to bunions. Tight, narrow, or high-heeled footwear does not cause bunions on its own but significantly accelerates the deformity in people who are genetically prone to them. Q: Do bunion pads and splints work? A: Honestly, most patients find them difficult to tolerate and they produce little meaningful long-term benefit. Pads can shift in the shoe and create new pressure points. Night splints are often uncomfortable to sleep in and do not halt the progression of the deformity. Custom orthotics are a far more effective conservative option. Q: What is the difference between cortisone and amniotic injections for a bunion? A: Cortisone injections reduce inflammation quickly and are effective for managing painful flare-ups. Amniotic injections take a different approach — they introduce growth factors and healing proteins into the joint to help repair the cartilage and soft tissue damage that accumulates over time. Neither will correct the bony deformity, but both can meaningfully improve comfort and function. Q: Can a bunion be fixed without surgery? A: Conservative treatments cannot reverse a bunion — only surgery can correct the underlying bone deformity. However, orthotics, appropriate footwear, injections, and advanced therapies can effectively manage pain and slow progression for many years. Q: When should I consider bunion surgery? A: Surgery is appropriate when conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate pain relief, or when the bunion is severely interfering with daily activities and quality of life. We always exhaust non-surgical options first. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly foot health tips from Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern New Hampshire. #Bunion #BunionPain #HalluxValgus #FootDeformity #FootPain #Podiatrist #FootHealth #BunionSurgery #PodiatryEducation #FootAndAnkle #SouthernNH #NewHampshire #BigToePain #FootCare #Orthotics