Bunions

Non-Surgical Treatment of Bunions

Are you suffering from pain from a bunion? Even though bunions are a common foot deformity, there are misconceptions about them. Many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment. Metroplex Foot and Ankle Center in North Richland Hills, TX, can be reached at 817-595-1310 to learn more.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion (also referred to as hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus) is often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. The visible bump reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. The big toe leans toward the second toe rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment, producing the bunion’s “bump.”

Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which becomes increasingly prominent. Symptoms usually appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.

CAUSES

An inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot most often causes bunions. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Although wearing shoes that crowd the toes won’t cause bunions, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse. Therefore, symptoms may appear sooner.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms, which occur at the site of the bunion, may include:

Pain or soreness

Inflammation and redness

A burning sensation

Possible numbness

Symptoms often occur when wearing shoes that crowd the toes, such as shoes with a tight toe box or high heels. This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. In addition, spending long periods on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of bunions.

DIAGNOSIS

Bunions are readily apparent; the prominence is visible at the base of the big toe or on the side of the foot. However, to fully evaluate the condition, the foot and ankle surgeon may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformity and assess the changes that have occurred.

Because bunions are progressive, they don’t go away and usually worsen over time. But not all cases are alike—some bunions progress more rapidly than others. Once your surgeon has evaluated your bunion, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.

NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT

Sometimes, observation of the bunion is all that’s needed.

To reduce the chance of damage to the joint, periodic evaluation and x-rays by your surgeon are advised. In many other cases, however, some treatment is needed. Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of bunions, but they won’t reverse the deformity itself. These include:

Changes in shoewear.

Wearing the right kind of shoes is very important. Choose shoes with a wide-toe box and forgo those with pointed toes or high heels that may aggravate the condition. Padding. Pads placed over the area of the bunion can help minimize pain. These can be obtained from your surgeon or purchased at a drugstore.

Activity modifications.

Avoid activities that cause bunion pain, including standing for long periods.

Medications.

Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.

Icing.

Applying an ice pack several times a day helps reduce inflammation and pain.

Injection therapy.

Although rarely used in bunion treatment, injections of corticosteroids may help treat the inflamed bursa (fluid-filled sac located around a joint), sometimes seen with bunions.

Orthotic devices.

In some cases, the foot and ankle surgeon may provide custom orthotic devices.

WHEN IS SURGERY NEEDED?

If non-surgical treatments fail to relieve bunion pain and the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it’s time to discuss surgical options with a foot and ankle surgeon. Together, you can decide if surgery is right for you.

A variety of surgical procedures are available to treat bunions. The procedures are designed to remove the “bump” of bone, correct the changes in the bony structure of the foot, and correct any soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. The goal of surgery is the reduction of pain.

In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, the foot and ankle surgeon will consider the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.