Question
Three weeks ago I felt something unusual in my foot. It was on my upper right foot, under my big toe on the inner arch, and located about 1/2 way between my bunion and my ankle. At first it felt like the pressure you can sometimes feel in a joint when it needs to pop. As the evening progressed it became severe pain. Not only could I not put any weight on it, even just lying on the couch was excruciating. The next day the pain was still pretty bad, but bearable and I could put weight on it again. Since then I've had pain in that same area or in the bunion. It is not constant, but it is there daily. Sometimes I also feel a popping in that area. There has been no noticeable swelling or bruising in my foot. I do have issues with bunions. Could this be related to those, or is this something else?  

Answer
This Chicago Podiatrist says...
The bunion you are describing sounds like the culprit!
A bunion is a mechanical deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The bunion usually decreases movement of the joint and alters the alignment of the foot during walking. This forces other joints and tendons to compensate for the altered mechanics. For example-if there are three hinges on a door and one is damaged-the other two hinges will bear more weight and move slightly differently to allow the door to swing.
See our website AnkleNFoot.com for the different kinds of bunions and the different kinds of bunion surgery available.
Sometimes inserts or orthotics may alleviate the discomfort.
If you decide to do the bunion surgery-make sure you see a Podiatrist who is Board Certified in Orthopedics or Surgery. Also make sure that they have a high success rate-Ask them and also observe the surgical patients in the waiting room and talk to them also.
We do second opinions for all foot and ankle surgery.

Hope this answers your question
Good Luck
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.