New Jersey Foot Doctor Offers Bunion Treatment and Surgery
Bunion/ Hallux Valgus
Do you have trouble finding shoes that fit because the front of your foot has become too wide? Do you ever feel pain in your big toe joint or on the ball of your foot? You may have a bunion.
A bunion is known as a hallux valgus deformity, which is more or less a large bump on the side of the big toe. This bump is caused by the misalignment of the bones causing the big toe, the hallux, to point toward the other toes. Bunions are a progressive disorder, and the misalignment is usually followed by arthritic changes within the joint causing pain and discomfort.
Although bunions tend to run in families, it is the foot type that is passed down not the bunion. In other words, our parent’s problematic food type can make us prone to developing bunions. They’re a symptom of faulty foot development usually caused by the way we walk, our shoes or other sources of pressure. Both men and women suffer from bunions, but they’re more common in females – usually because they wear high heels with a tapered toe area. The abnormal motions and pressure exerted on and within the foot cause these bone and joint deformities. Because of the progressive nature of this affliction, a bunion left untreated can lead to enough pain and disability to make walking difficult. It could even require surgery.
Symptoms of Bunions
– Pain, throbbing, redness
– Stiffness of the big toe joint
– Bump on the side of the big toe
– Turning of the big toe toward the second toe
New Jersey Bunion Treatment
In the early stages, nonsurgical bunion treatments are often the best approach. If you want to avoid surgery, it’s imperative to identify the deformity early in its development. The moment you feel pain or discomfort, consult a podiatrist. Left untreated, bunions will grow and get even more painful, making nonsurgical bunions treatment less of an option.
There are some good techniques you can use to slow the deformity and minimize pain. Start by wearing shoes with a wider toe area. Or get yourself some custom shoe inserts known as orthotic devices to reposition the foot inside your shoe to decrease pressure. You can also pad the bunion and/or tape your foot to keep it in a normal position. To treat pain and inflammation, we can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or provide cortisone injections. For a more active bunions treatment, physical therapy techniques like ultrasound therapy can treat bunions and associated soft tissue issues.
If you’re experiencing pain on a regular basis, or if your normal physical activity has been affected, we may have to consider surgery. Many surgical procedures are available to remove the bone protrusion, restore toe joint alignment and relieve pain. Bunionectomy, the removal of the bone protrusion, may be used for less severe cases. But severe bunions may require the more invasive procedure of cutting the bone and realigning the joint.
Serving all your foot and ankle concerns, Family Foot & Ankle Center of Central Jersey provides comprehensive care for infants, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors.
Please call today for an appointment (732) 851-1617.
FAQs
In most cases, bunions can be treated nonsurgically. One of the podiatrists from our team can examine your bunion(s) and recommend a conservative treatment which includes one or more of the following: Custom shoe orthotics (inserts) that relieve pressure on the joint and align your weight in a more beneficial way.
Can a podiatrist do anything for bunions? ›
Diagnosis and Treatment
A podiatrist may recommend these treatments: Padding and Taping: Often the first step in a treatment plan, padding the bunion minimizes pain and allows the patient to continue a normal, active life. Taping helps keep the foot in a normal position, thus reducing stress and pain.
What's the best treatment for bunions on your feet? ›
Nonsurgical treatments that may relieve the pain and pressure of a bunion include:
- Changing shoes. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space for your toes.
- Padding. Over-the-counter, nonmedicated bunion pads or cushions may be helpful. ...
- Medications. ...
- Shoe inserts. ...
- Applying ice.
Our 10 top tips on treating bunions without surgery:
- Massage and exercise your feet.
- Take a paracetamol.
- Soak your feet in a foot bath.
- Ice your feet.
- Put your feet up!
- Try castor oil.
- Try bunion pads.
- Try bunion splints.
Ways to shrink or prevent bunions from worsening include wearing supportive footwear, taking pain medications or using pain-relieving topical creams, doing bunion stretches and exercises, and using ice packs, warm soaks, and gentle massage.
Is walking barefoot good for bunions? ›
Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.
Do toe spacers help bunions? ›
Bunion toe spacers cannot cure bunions, but they can help manage pain and prevent further damage to the toe joint.
Does insurance cover bunion surgery? ›
Bunion surgery costs depend on the type of surgery you have, where you have the procedure, your health insurance or Medicare coverage, and more. Generally, if your bunion pain is leading to physical limitations, and surgery is deemed medically necessary by your podiatrist, insurance will cover the procedure.
What are the new options for bunions? ›
Lapiplasty has been called a “paradigm shift ” in bunion correction surgery. The surgeon no longer has to cut freehand. A patented instrument holds the metatarsal bone in correct position in all three dimensions at the same time before the surgeon makes any cuts.
What does Epsom salt do for bunions? ›
Soaking your feet in the water a few times a week can help reduce pain and inflammation. You can also add Epsom salt in warm water. The magnesium in salt can help stave off soreness and soothe your bunion.
Vicks VapoRub
Sounds crazy, right? But, according to the NIH, menthol and camphor — two of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub — may help soothe inflamed joints and muscles by acting as a topical anesthetic. Treating bunions with Vicks may provide temporary, superficial pain relief.
How do you stop a bunion from progressing? ›
Wear the right shoes
Choose shoes with plenty of wiggle room in the toes, and avoid pointy shoes entirely. Opt for shoes with low rather than high heels, which can worsen symptoms. Finally, make sure your shoes have plenty of arch support to relieve pressure on your toes.
Are Birkenstocks good for bunions? ›
One of the best sandal brands for bunions is Birkenstocks. They offer a variety of supportive shoes with ample forefoot room to avoid irritation of your bunion. Their adjustable leather uppers allow the shoe to fit your foot shape.
Do toe straighteners work for bunions? ›
Perhaps the term of “bunion correctors” is slightly misleading as they do not actually correct bunions, rather prevents it from getting worse. The only way to really correct a bunion is by surgery. In most cases, this is a last resort for people who are in great pain and have severe deformity.
Can you reshape a bunion? ›
Bunion surgery is done to reduce the pain and correct the deformity caused by a bunion. A bunion (hallux valgus) is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around a joint at the base of the big toe or at the base of the little toe.
Is there such a thing as a bunion corrector? ›
A bunion corrector aims to improve the position of a misaligned big toe and alleviate pressure on the big joint by straightening or stretching the toe back into a natural position.
