A bunion bulges out from the bone at the base of the big toe. When compressed in a tight shoe it will hurt. If you think that you have a bunion see your doctor who will make a diagnosis by examining your foot and having an x-ray is the best way to tell how to treat it.
- Wear comfortable shoes with room in the toes
- Wear padding to cushion your toes
- Purchase some shoe supports, they will make your feet more comfortable
- The doctor may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory drug
- Apply an anti-inflammatory rub to the toe joint at the end of every day
Causes of Bunions are your Parents
This type of disorder is laid down in your genes, and if one of your parents had this condition related to arthritis the chances are that you will have it too. The bunion will continue to grow quite slowly, but as it gets larger it will cause pain in the toe and surrounding area, and ultimately, bunions treatment often requires surgery. If left, it distorts feet and shoes making walking very uncomfortable, and can interfere with activities of daily living.
Surgery
If the bunion becomes unbearably painful, surgery may be recommended, as the conservative treatments haven’t worked for you. The surgery can take various forms but the most common is.
Reconstructing the bones in your foot to correct the angle of the big toe joint and removing part of the bone on your big toe
Sometimes just removing the tissue from around the big toe joint is enough to relieve the swelling and pain.
Following this type of surgery, you are often placed in a Moon boot for six weeks.
Bunions treatment is not always long-lasting, and the bunion can grow back, but it may take 30 years to reappear. So following surgery, it is important to wear the right shoes, and it is almost impossible to go back to narrow 3-inch heels again. So it is important to look after your feet.
Providing Best Medical Care
The health and well-being of our patients and their health care team will always be our priority.
Caring for Your Feet
The better you look after your feet, the more comfortable they will be. So make a regular appointment with your Chiropodist so they can carry out routine foot care for you. As people get older they often ignore their feet and may not immediately notice emerging problems.
Get the toenails carefully trimmed and any corns treated by professionals who will tell you of any problems identified.
The Chiropodist will recommend the correct foot insert to keep your bunions treatment regimen in place and to cushion your feet against jarring.
If they recommend Orthopaedic shoes, get them, as they will help you to remain on your feet all day at work, when wearing the right footwear.
Some people have bunions for years but never need surgery because they don’t get worse, while others require an operation. So consult your Doctor and Chiropodist who will order the correct x-rays to identify the problem early and then you will know how to treat it.
