TX PODIATRIST STATES THAT PATIENTS WAIT UNTIL BUNIONS BECOME SYMPTOMATIC

A BUNION OFTEN IS DESCRIBED AS A SIMPLE BUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE BIG TOE. BUT, ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FOOT AND ANKLE SURGEONS, IT'S A MUCH MORE SERIOUS; THE BUMP ACTUALLY REFLECTS CHANGES IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE FOOT.

"MOST PATIENTS DON'T ADDRESS THE CONDITION UNTIL IT REACHES A CRITICAL LEVEL," SAYS DR. WILLIAM ARRINGTON, II, A PODIATRIST ON STAFF AT TEXAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTRE AT SUNNYVILLE AND WHO ALSO PRACTICES AS A PODIATRIST AT BELTLINE FOOT AND ANKLE SPECIALISTS IN MESQUITE.  "USUALLY, THEY COME TO MY OFFICE WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE OF PAIN, OR THEY HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO WEAR NORMAL SHOES."