The joint bows out at a 'V' angle, and becomes irritated and swollen. Bunions have a strong hereditary basis, and seem to be more common among women than men. They can be aggravated by shoes that are too tight across the toe box. There are several different surgical procedures which can be used to correct a bunion, and depending on the degree of severity, a procedure might be performed in an office, a clinic, or a hospital outpatient facility. As with all bone surgery, individuals may differ in the actual time necessary for healing, which could range from three weeks to six or eight.
Hammertoes often accompany a bunion, although they occur on their own, as well.
Most frequently they involve the second toe, but the other smaller toes can also be afflicted. The bones of the toe buckle into a claw-like position. The former can be corrected by soft tissue or tendon surgery, while the latter may require removal of a small segment of bone. Plantar warts which are caused by a virus, can be removed in a doctor's office, using various relatively simple surgical procedures, and the patient probably will be able to walk immediately following the process. However, warts can occur in multiples and clusters, and may require that more than one visit be paid to a podiatrist.