A bunion is a particularly common and painful foot condition. Bunions occur more frequently in women than in men often due to high heels and pointed shoes. If you experience foot pain severe enough to make finding a comfortable pair of shoes difficult, you’re likely suffering from this foot condition.
If you think you may be suffering from a bunion, you’re likely asking yourself how you can alleviate the pain caused by the formation. After all, bunions can be somewhat debilitating. Luckily, Tjoe Podiatry has the information you can use to both identify whether or not you’re suffering from bunions and determine what to do about it.
Bunions are a painful foot condition affecting the bones situated near the base of the big toe. It is common for bunions to even cause a noticeable deformation of the foot in the form of a protruding bone on the side of the foot.
The formation of bunions occurs over time with greater and greater amounts of stress being put on the foot by the big toe itself. This is due, in part, to the way the bones in the foot are situated. Over time, the big toe presses against the metatarsal bone with increased pressure. This can eventually cause the metatarsal to be knocked out of alignment- resulting in the bone’s protrusion and the appearance of bunions.
It’s vital that bunions are treated as they can have a profound impact on the foot’s ability to function. There are a variety of ways to treat bunions ranging from surgery to more conservative treatment methods. Here are a few of the most effective ways of treating bunions.
New Shoes – It is incredibly important to pick the right kind of shoe to alleviate your painful symptoms as well as making sure that your condition doesn’t worsen. Picking the proper footwear is commonly considered the first line of defense in the more conservative treatment of bunions. While men suffering from bunions may have an easier time finding an orthopedic shoe to soothe their pain, women may have a bit more difficult. High heels force the body’s weight forward onto the toes by design- a recipe for disaster when it comes to the formation and exacerbation of bunions. For this reason, it is incredibly important to choose a shoe that doesn’t cause or worsen bunion symptoms. Orthotic shoes are a great choice when it comes to good foot health. Orthotic shoes offer the comfort of enough space and support that go a long way in ensuring good foot health.
Non-surgical Treatment for Bunions – You may be pleased to know that there are several effective non-surgical treatments available to combat the pain of bunions. While these treatments are not known for completely reversing the issue, they are an effective way of treating the symptoms. A few of the non-surgical treatments available for bunions include toe spacers, splints, and bunion pads. Each of these non-surgical treatments can help to realign the foot to its usual positioning to reduce the severity of bunion pain.
Surgical Treatments for Bunions – In more severe cases of bunions, it is recommended to speak with your provider about surgical treatment options. These procedures are most effective in repairing the damage done to other toes. Where non-surgical treatments fail, surgical procedures for bunions can help to realign the foot and restore proper functioning.
Before seeking surgical treatment for bunions, it’s important that you meet with a knowledgeable foot doctor who can help you form an effective treatment plan.
If you’re experiencing the debilitating symptoms associated with bunions, it’s time to get in touch with your local podiatrist so that you can get to the root of the issue. A skilled foot doctor can help generate a treatment plan catered to your specific needs to get you feeling better faster! Give us a call at Tjoe Podiatry today! We’re happy to help.
