Treating bunions are a part of everyday life when you’re a podiatrist. When a patient comes into Lexington Podiatry with a bunion, I often hear the same phrase, “You should see my mother’s — they are horrible!”
Bunions do have a genetic link, with the root of the cause being bony deformities and biomechanics. This doesn’t mean surgery is the only correction. Bunions are more common in women, and they are largely attributed to narrow and poor-fitting shoes.
Many patients wait to see their podiatrist until the pain is unbearable and the bunion has gotten much worse. Seeking early treatment can help! There are ways to prevent or slow the progression of your bunion.
Bunions can usually be seen just by looking at your feet. Do you have a big prominence at the joint on the outside edge of your toe? Is there a callous or redness? Does it hurt when you touch it? Does the tip of your first toe point towards your second toe? If the answer is yes, then you most likely have a bunion. You can have a bunion on your first toe, known as Hallux Abductovalgus, or on your fifth toe, also known as a Tailor’s bunion.
The first step many people take with the onset of pain is the use of the cushion pads. This can give temporary relief, but does nothing else. Custom orthotics can be made to address your biomechanical problems while removing pressure from your bunion and supporting your bony deformities. Sometimes even modifications to the inserts you already use can help.
It is important to wear wide toed shoes to give it space. A severe bunion may only be correctable by surgery. So come see us before the bunion gets worse. We can do a full analysis and set up a course of action with you, the conservative methods can often do wonders!