Peer Reviewed Patient Education

How is a bunion diagnosed?

When the patient stands with the weight evenly distributed, the bunion is evident as a bony growth protruding from the metatarsal head at the base of the great toe, which is angled in toward the other toes. Sometimes the pressure against the second toe causes it to deform into a "hammer toe" . This condition may be more painful than the bunion itself, and can occasionally cause the second toe to partially dislocate. This can lead to the formation of a callus (transfer lesion) under the metatarsal head, which can be very painful. X-rays can reveal the extent to which the second toe is dislocated.

At Seaport we believe in meeting patients' individual needs through comprehensive evaluation and treatment, designed to help achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. Seaport physicians take the time to know you and work with you from your initial symptoms or injury, through every aspect of your recovery. Our goal at Seaport is to enable our patients to get back to a full active lifestyle as quickly and safely possible.

Our group is comprised of various physicians whose specialties include orthopaedic surgery, treatment of the hand, knee, spine, hip, foot and ankle, physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management.