Treatment & prevention

Effective Bunion Treatments For Long-Term Relief

Dr. Kipp has been treating bunions for decades and specializes in non-surgical treatments. But just in case, he’s specialty trained in laser surgery, reconstructive foot & ankle surgery, and arthroscopic surgery. The important thing is you have options.

We'll Help You Fix Your Bunions For Good

Dr. Kipp offers a selection of treatment options that provide comfort and relief.

Non-Surgical Relief

Bunion pain can be alleviated with customized shoes and orthotics, taping, and regenerative therapies. While we recommend these interventions to improve patient comfort, they don’t fix the root cause.

Certified Expertise

Patients who are candidates and prefer long-lasting solutions may opt to undergo reconstructive surgery. Dr. Kipp combines cutting-edge technology and expert training to enhance recovery and deliver results.

Transparent Care

Ultimately, you have the power to decide your treatment. We will communicate the pros and cons of each possibility and give you our professional insights to help you make an informed decision.

Customized Treatment

A bunion is a joint deformity that forms at the big toe. This happens because of years of pressure on the joint. Eventually, the joint gets out of alignment, and a bump forms. One in three Americans is affected by bunions, and they are more common in older adults, especially women.

There are a few types of bunions. The most common are on the big toe, but others like Tailor’s bunions form in the pinky toe and congenital that form in babies and juveniles.

Causes & Symptoms

What causes bunions?

Bunions are caused by the way you walk or the shape of your feet. Whoever you are, you probably have a bunion. They happen gradually over time, and can be made worse by standing for long periods of time and wearing ill-fitting shoes.

The likelihood of getting bunions may be increased by:

  • Family history of bunions.
  • Foot injuries.
  • Inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis.

A bunion is red and swollen like a turnip. It actually comes from the Greek word for turnip, too! Other symptoms of bunions include:

  • Inability to bend the big toe.
  • Pain or burning in the big toe when bending it.
  • Difficulty wearing regular shoes.
  • Corns or calluses on the foot.
  • Hammertoes.
  • Numbness in the big toe.

Diagnosis & Testing

How is a bunion diagnosed?

Do to its physical appearance, Dr. Kipp can usually diagnose a bunion by looking at it. He may also order X-rays to check your bone alignment and to see if there is any other joint damage.

Treatment

How are bunions treated?

If you have a bunion, it’s not going away and will get more painful with time. Dr. Kipp’s treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and may include:

  • Orthotic Shoes & Inserts – Orthotic devices are used to control alignment issues such as pronation, which may be contributing to bunion formation. Custom orthotics and inserts can help you manage this problem. You can also place spacers between your toes or find relief by wearing a splint at night.
  • Regenerative Therapy – Dr. Kipp may recommend a Wharton’s Jelly Allograft injection reduce pain and swelling by providing the extracellular matrix needed for the infiltration, attachment, and proliferation of cells required for the repair of damaged tissue. This is a late treatment when others have failed and surgery is being considered.
  • Bunion Surgery – If you’ve tried other treatments and your pain has gotten out of control, a bunionectomy might be necessary. This surgery is the removal of the bunion and realignment of bones to bring your big toe back into position.

Prevention

How can I prevent bunions?

Bunions are a common problem that most often starts with ill-fitting shoes. Dr. Kipp can give you advice on how to properly size your shoes and how to customize them to your needs. In general, you should buy shoes with soft soles and a wide toe box. Avoid high heels or narrow-toed shoes because they put pressure on your foot.

If you have flat feet or are prone to foot problems, you might want to consider getting custom-fitted orthotics or inserts. These can help prevent bunions from occurring, or slow their progression if they have already started.

Prognosis

What is the outlook if I get a bunion?

Bunion pain can be debilitating. If you’re not careful, it will only get worse over time. The right care, like wearing the right footware or using orthotics, is life-changing. If you have severe pain when you walk or stand, you may become sedentary (inactive), which can lead to a variety of medical problems. Many of our patients find relief with orthotics or  regenerative therapy treatment in the office. As a last resort, surgery can also help.

Can a bunion cause other complications?

Having a bunion can increase your risk of developing bursitis, bone spurs, and hammertoes. Regenerative therapy or bunion surgery may be necessary to treat or prevent osteoarthritis.

Schedule Your Consultation Now

Untreated bunions only get worse over time. Avoid worsening pain, difficulty standing or walking, osteoarthritis, or bursitis, due to deteriorated cartilage. Schedule now.

Have a question? Text us @ 727-809-1555

Accepted Insurances

We accept this provider as a secondary insurance only.

We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept this provider as a secondary insurance only.

We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept this provider as a secondary insurance only.

We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept this provider as a secondary insurance only.

We accept all standard Medicare plans and Medicare Railroad plans.

For those without insurance or an insurance provider we do not currently accept, we offer discounted private pay rates that are often a better value than with insurance. 

If you’re interested or would like to learn more, send us a text at 727-285-9095.

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We accept the majority of PPO plans. We do NOT accept HMO plans. Discounted private pay rates are available.

We accept this provider as a secondary insurance only.