Foot Pain? We Have Answers!
One of those conditions is Bunions.
Here are our answers to some common questionsโฆ
A bunion is the term for the bone enlargement that protrudes out where your big toe
and foot
meet.
A bunion can also form on the outside of the foot
where the little toe
and foot meet.
Weโd like to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions
about bunions
, in case you or someone you know has been wondering.
1. 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. If shoes
were the cause, men
and children
would never get bunions
โฆ and they do. Unfortunately, some people
are just genetically predisposed to this condition.
2. Is there a splint that can correct a bunion
There are many splints on the market, but none of them correct a bunion. Nothing will take away the enlarged bone
and make the big toe
straight again other than surgery
โ
. Wearing a splint may slow down how fast a bunion
grows.
3. 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 is done itโs rare the bunion
will return. The techniques for bunion
correction keep getting better. Also, we recommend shoes
with good support and custom orthotics to decrease the chance of a recurrence.
4. When is the best time to have the bunion removed?
There are a couple of reasons 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
. Some small bunions
hurt a ton. We can advise you as to if or when surgery
โ
is indicated.
5. Will I need crutches โ๐ฆฝ
โ๐ฆฝ and a cast after surgery
โ
?
Crutches, a walker โ๐ฆฏ or knee scooter
is necessary for almost every bunion
surgery. Keeping pressure off the surgery site will decrease the pain
and swelling. A walking boot
is needed in most cases. A fiberglass cast is only needed for a rare form of bunion
correction.
6. When is it safe to start exercising after surgery
?
The general rule is it takes about 2 months to start walking
for exercise
or using an elliptical
. It usually takes longer to start jogging
again. Some people can use an exercise bike
as early as 3 weeks after surgery.
7. What can be done about the pain besides surgery?
Sometimes weโll use cortisone to relieve the pain. Custom orthotics are helpful to align the foot better. Of course, wider shoes can be helpful. Ice ๐ง and Ibuprofen have also helped some people.
There isnโt a one-size-fits-all for bunions.
We recommend a non-surgical approach to bunions, like we do for all foot conditions, for as long as possible.
Some bunions can get bigger and more painful
quickly. An x-ray
will guide us to the best option if this occurs.
If you have had a bunion that hurts
fairly often, we can 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.