What Are Bunions and How Are They Treated?
posted: Apr. 11, 2022.
At Family Foot Care in Bellingham, WA, Dr. Sherwin is skilled at treating bunions and helping patients find relief from painful symptoms. If you think you have a bunion, keep reading and come see us in Bellingham, WA, for treatment.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the side of the big toe. Bunions are caused by an uneven weight distribution on the large toe joint. This usually happens because of constricting footwear forcing the toes together. This makes bunions more common for women, but they can happen to anyone due to a foot injury or arthritis.
Treating Bunions
Bunions will progress in size to the point wearing shoes is painful. We hope to see you before that point, but whatever size your bunion is now, we can help you find relief from the pain. There are several methods to relieve pain that you can try at home. Your podiatrist may recommend:
- Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes with a large toe box
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Stretching the foot and toes every day to prevent stiffness
- Adhesive patches that pad the bunion
- Shoe inserts that pad the bunion and help align the bones in your foot as you walk
- Wearing toe splints overnight to straighten out the toe
- Icing the toe for 15-20 minutes at a time
Bunion surgery is typically only recommended if other measures haven't improved your pain. A bunionectomy is performed on an outpatient basis. The surgeon removes the bump and manipulates the bones, ligaments, and tendons in your foot to relieve your pain.
After surgery, your podiatrist may recommend physical therapy to regain balance and strength in your foot. This is usually if the bunion was so big it has affected how you walk. You should keep your foot elevated as much as possible during the first week after surgery, then you can slowly add activity.
Family Foot Care can help if you're suffering from bunions in Bellingham, WA. Dr. Sherwin can evaluate the bunion and recommend the appropriate treatment. Contact us for an appointment in Bellingham, WA, at (360) 738-9797.