Dealing with a so-called frozen shoulder is as limiting and frustrating as the term suggests. Find out the stages of development of what is known medically as adhesive capsulitis, and what you can do about it.
You may not have any pain from your bunion when it first forms, but you’re reminded it’s there every time you consider going barefoot or wearing sandals in public. If it hurts, your big toe may feel painful or swollen or you may develop irritated skin over the protrusion.
A bunion appears as a large bump that sticks out of the side of your foot at the base of your big toe. It forms when your big toe begins to gradually lean toward your smaller toes. The change in position causes the base of the big toe to push outward and lean against the first metatarsal bone of your foot, located directly behind your big toe.
The bunion forms at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint where your big toe meets your foot and your toe bends when you walk. However, when a bunion forms, your weight lands on the bunion instead of your toe, which causes pain.
Several types of treatments can offer relief from bunions. Podiatrist Ian R. Hersh, DPM, FACFAS, of Ani Medical Group in Hazlet and Old Bridge, New Jersey, has the expertise necessary to determine the best bunion treatment for your condition. Dr. Hersch has extensive experience using different bunion therapies to improve movement and appearance.
Depending on the location and condition of your bunions, you may benefit from one or more of the following treatments:
Changing your shoes may provide immediate relief of bunion pain. Switching to shoes that have a wide and deep toe box will help avoid friction between your bunion and the side of your foot.
You also should avoid shoes with heels higher than two inches. Shoes with higher heels can put your foot in an unnatural position by forcing your toes forward into a narrow space that can irritate your bunion. Because of their design, high heels can also put you at a higher risk of getting bunions if you don’t have them.
However, footwear doesn’t cause bunions. Bunions tend to form in feet that are more prone to their development. You’re more likely to get bunions if you’ve inherited an abnormal foot structure that includes low arches, flat feet, or loose joints and tendons. You’re also more prone to bunions if you stand for long periods of time or have arthritis symptoms in your feet.
Depending on your condition, one or more of the following pain-relieving treatments may help your bunion:
Exercises that strengthen foot muscles can help reduce discomfort and improve pain-free walking. Some common exercises include the following:
If conservative nonsurgical treatments don’t work, you may benefit from bunion surgery. While bunion surgery involves several different approaches, most include a bunionectomy, or removal of the part of your bone that protrudes.
Bunion surgery may or may not involve a realignment of your big toe joint to its normal position. In some bunion surgeries, an artificial joint or implant corrects your damaged joint.
To heal, you must avoid weight on your affected foot for six to eight weeks, then progress to partial weight bearing in a special shoe or boot. Depending on the type of surgery performed and the size of the affected area, your recovery may take from six weeks to six months.
While it’s a long process, bunion surgery typically delivers relief and a more normal looking toe. You’re also likely to have better mobility after you fully heal.
If you’re living with bunions, it’s important to get expert care as early as possible. Schedule an appointment online or call either of our two convenient locations today to find out your options for bunion treatment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Dealing with a so-called frozen shoulder is as limiting and frustrating as the term suggests. Find out the stages of development of what is known medically as adhesive capsulitis, and what you can do about it.
As you get older, you may feel some new and unwelcome aches and pains in your hips. So how do you know when there’s more to an ache than the discomfort it brings? Learn more about differentiating a small ache from a much bigger issue with your hips.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of movement and mobility to your life. When these are compromised, your best option for recovery might be the slow and steady one. Physical therapy is a great way to recover without going under the knife.
Are you suffering from pain or injury and searching desperately for relief? Did you know that your body contains healing cells that can take any form? If this sounds like you, this approach, called stem cell therapy, may be just the thing for you.
What do you do if your shoulder hurts? Knowing the difference between simple soreness and an injury that requires a doctor visit can be tricky. Read on to learn how to tell when it’s time to seek medical help.
Do you dread walking because of plantar fasciitis? This condition, which can cause persistent and debilitating heel pain, doesn’t have to plague you forever. Read on to learn what causes it and how you can treat it.