As a podiatrist, one of the most common concerns I hear at the clinic involves bunions. Many patients walk through my doors feeling like they are at the end of their rope, often convinced that the only solution to that bump at the base of their big toe is a surgical procedure. I want to set the record straight; a bunion is a progressive disorder, but that does not mean you have to jump straight to surgery. What exactly is a bunion? Medically known as hallux valgus, a bunion i

If you have ever noticed a bony bump forming on the outside of your big toe, you are likely dealing with a bunion, or the medical term hallux valgus. In my practice at Elk Grove Foot and Ankle Clinic, this is one of the most common conditions I see patients for. Many people brush them off as a minor cosmetic issue at first, but as a bunion progresses, it can cause persistent pain, inflammation, and make finding comfortable shoes a daily frustration. To help clear up some comm