How (and When) to Treat Your Bunions
Bunions develop when the bones of the big toe become misaligned. A bony bump forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, often caused by wearing shoes that force the toe into an unnatural position.
Bunions can be painful. When they progress to the point where it’s difficult to do your favorite activities, it’s time to seek treatment.
How to Treat Bunion Pain Without Surgery
You should never feel like you have to live with any type of bunion pain. In fact, ignoring chronic bunion pain can cause this condition to worsen over time.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the bunion and how much the pain is impacting your life. Conservative treatment options that Dr. Elton typically recommends are:
Changing Shoes: Dr. Elton can help you find shoes that offer a more supportive, comfortable fit.
Cushions: Non medicated bunion cushions or pads are available over-the-counter and act as a buffer between your bunion and your shoe.
Inserts: Customized shoe inserts can help evenly distribute foot pressure, which can elevate pain and prevent the bunion from getting worse.
Ice: By icing the bunion regularly, you can help reduce swelling and pain.
It’s important to follow up with an orthopaedic doctor about your bunions since they can lead to other painful conditions - such as hammertoes.
When Do You Need Surgery For a Bunion?
If the bunion is severe or causes pain that persists for over a year, it could be time to consider surgery. Some questions to consider include:
Is your bunion pain impacting your day-to-day movement?
Are you no longer able to participate in your usual hobbies and activities?
Is your toe chronically inflamed?
Are the bunions creating a deformity where your toes overlap?
Is there a constant stiffness in the toe?
Does the pain persist, even after changing shoes?
A ‘yes’ to any of the above questions means it’s time to speak with your orthopaedic physician about surgery.
There are several surgical options for bunions. Some bunion surgeries can be done as a single procedure while others might be done as a combination.
Recovery from bunion surgery varies depending on your condition and the procedure used. It’s possible for patients to walk on their foot immediately after surgery while others need a few months to fully recover.
Dr. Elton can walk you through the procedures that are best for your specific condition and explain what you can expect after bunion surgery.
Bunion Treatment in Eagle and Summit County
If you think bunion surgery is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Elton today. He and his team will talk you through your options and recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you!