Most women are familiar with bunions. These are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe as a result of the bones in the front portion of your foot moving out of place. In most cases, they have swelling and redness over the affected area.
Here at the Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists, our podiatrists can assess bunions and suggest the best treatments for them in our New Albany, IN, Louisville, KY, Elizabethtown, KY, Bardstown, KY, or Bowling Green, KY, locations.
Developing Bunion Symptoms
One of the more common causes of bunions is wearing narrow or tight shoes. Deformity, medical conditions, or genetics could likewise be factors that can lead to bunions. Other symptoms that could alert you that you have bunions include:
- A bulging bump outside the base of the big toe
- Redness, swelling, or soreness around the big toe area
- Presence of calluses and corns
- Chronic pain that comes and goes without reason
- Limited mobility of the big toe
Home Treatments for Bunions
Unless surgically corrected, bunions are considered permanent. However, you can have relief from bunion symptoms by following these home treatment tips:
- Use non-medicated bunion pads at the bunion area.
- Use a spacer between the big toe and the one next to it.
- Use shoes that have a wider and deeper toe box.
- Apply ice packs frequently if there is swelling.
- Limit wearing heeled shoes higher than two inches.
When to Get Medical Attention for Bunions
When is it time to see a podiatrist? Consult a podiatrist in our Louisville, KY, Bardstown, KY, Elizabethtown, KY, Bowling Green, KY, or New Albany, IN, location if there is continuous pain and when the bunion becomes larger. Depending on your symptoms and their intensity, your podiatrist might recommend a blend of the following:
- Anti-inflammatory Medications: Cortisone injections are commonly prescribed for inflammation and pain.
- Padding and Taping: The bunion is padded to minimize the pain and taping is used to maintain the normal position of the foot as a way to reduce both pain and stress.
- Orthotics: Inserted in shoes to prevent worsening the deformity and deliver relief from bunion symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: A popular treatment for bunion conditions where soft tissue is involved.
- Surgery: Usually considered as a last resort, podiatric surgery relieves the pressure and repairs the affected toe joint.
There are various surgical procedures that a podiatrist can recommend. Bunionectomy is often the recommended treatment for less severe cases of deformity caused by bunions. More involved procedures will be required for more advanced cases and may involve cutting the bone and realigning joints.
When undergoing surgery, recovery time could vary greatly depending on the health of the patient. It is likewise normal to experience some level of discomfort for a couple of weeks after surgery. Initially, the pain will be managed through medications prescribed by your podiatrist. This will be accompanied by postoperative instructions for quicker recovery.
For Bunion Relief and Other Foot Problems, Let Us Help.
Schedule your visit with one of our podiatrists here at the Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists. You can reach our New Albany, IN, office at (812) 725-7542, Louisville, KY, office at (502) 968-2233, Elizabethtown, KY, office at (270) 737-3338, Bardstown, KY, office at (502) 331-6307, and Bowling Green, KY, office at (270) 796-6160.