Treatment Options for Bunions

Treatment Options for Bunions

When your foot hurts, it's all you can think about. If your problem is a bunion, find relief with the help of your podiatrist at Foot Health bunionsCenter in West Orange, NJ. A common, bunions need prompt attention to avoid continued discomfort and dysfunction.

What is a bunion?

A bunion forms at the base of the big toe (the metatarsophalangeal joint) when heredity, pressure, overuse and tight shoes gradually force the big toe out of alignment. That first toe moves toward the second and even third toe.

Obesity contributes to bunions, but even people of ideal weight can develop this deformity. Some patients also suffer from arthritis in their feet which can worsen bunion symptoms. Whatever the predisposing factors, the result is a bony bump that's inflamed and very sore.

How to treat a bunion

Visit your podiatrist in West Orange, NJ. They will inspect your foot, watch you walk and ask about your symptoms. Likely, the doctor will take some X-rays to understand what is happening inside the big toe joint. Then, he or she may recommend one or more of the following conservative treatments:

  1. Change your shoes to something with more cushioning support and a wider toe box. Avoid heels higher than two inches, says the American Podiatric Medical Association.
  2. Wear shoe padding (gel or moleskin) to reduce friction on the bunion.
  3. Wear custom-made orthotics, or shoe inserts, to correct your gait and relieve pressure.
  4. Use a nighttime splint to gently and gradually re-align the joint.
  5. Lose weight.

Bunion surgery is an option for adults with severe symptoms and deformity. Depending on the case, the operation may be performed in the office or in the hospital. The surgery realigns the big toe joint and relieves the pressure and pain. The podiatrists at Foot Health Center in West Orange, NJ, specialize in reconstructive foot and ankle surgeries and can correct your foot structure so you function at your very best.

Find out more

If your feet hurt and you suspect you have a bunion, please contact Foot Health Center in West Orange, NJ, for an appointment with one of our podiatrists. You can feel better! Call today: (973) 731-1266.

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