Bunions Explained: Relief for Foot Pain
A bunion is a bone
enlargement that protrudes outward where your big toe
and foot
meet. It can also form on the outside of the foot
, where the little toe
and foot
meet.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bunions:
Does wearing the wrong shoes cause a bunion
?
Bunions are almost always hereditary. Narrower shoes
worn consistently can make the bunion
hurt more, but do not cause it. Unfortunately, some people are just genetically predisposed to this condition.
Can a splint correct a bunion?
Unfortunately, no. Splints cannot take away the enlarged bone and make the big toe
straight again โ only surgery
โ
can do this. Wearing a splint, however, may slow down how fast a bunion
grows.
I heard a bunion always comes back after being removed โ is that true?
Although itโs possible for a bunion to recur, when the right procedure
โ
is done it is rare the bunion
will return. The techniques for surgical
bunion
correction keep getting better. We also recommend shoes
with good support and custom orthotics to decrease the chance of a recurrence.
When is the best time to have a bunion removed?
There are two possible signs that itโs time to consider having surgery โ
. The first is when there is pain
on a daily basis. The second is if the big toe
starts overlapping the second toe
. The size of the bunion
doesnโt always correlate with the pain
– some large bunions
rarely hurt
, and some small bunions
hurt
a ton. We are here to advise you whether and when surgery
โ
is indicated.
Will I need crutches and a cast after bunion surgery
โ
?
Keeping pressure off the surgery โ
site will decrease the pain
and swelling. Either crutches, a walker, or a knee scooter are necessary after almost every bunion
surgery. A fiberglass cast is only needed for a rare form of bunion
correction; a walking boot is needed in most cases.
When is it safe to start exercising after surgery?
The general rule is that it takes about 2 months to begin walking
or using an elliptical for exercise. It usually takes longer to start jogging
again. Some people can use an exercise bike
as early as 3 weeks
after surgery
โ
.
What can be done to address bunion pain other than surgery?
Sometimes weโll use cortisone to relieve the pain. Custom orthotics can help align the foot
better, and wearing wider shoes
can help alleviate the pain
. Ice ๐ง and ibuprofen have also helped some people.
We recommend a non-surgical โ
approach to bunions
for as long as possible, as we do for all foot
conditions. However, some bunions
can get bigger and more painful
quickly. An x-ray will guide us to the best option if this occurs.
As you can see, there isnโt a one-size-fits-all for addressing bunions. If you have a bunion
that hurts fairly often, you can always schedule an appointment with us. Weโll be happy to advise you on the best course of action.
To healthy feet,
Dr. Rosales
Learn More About Common Foot Issues in Flagstaff, AZ – Contact Us Today!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other podiatry topics, feel free to contact Flagstaff Foot Doctors by clicking here or by calling 928-774-4825.