One of the most regular medical complaints among both men and women is Foot pain, which only tends to become more common with age. There are many problems which can lead to discomfort in the foot, including painful bunions that affect a majority of the senior population.
Bunions can range from minor lumps or bumps to serious deformity of the big toe joint. It is recommended to seek medical care as early as possible for finding relief. Fortunately, our expert orthopaedics at 1 Health Medical Centre are skilled in treating bunions, from minor to major, providing care specifically tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
Why Do Bunions Form on feet?
Typically formed as a result of pressure on the toe, Bunions are a deformity of the big toe joint. When the tip or upper part of your toe is pushed or crowded in towards the rest of your toe, continuous pressure is exerted on the big toe joint, gradually making it shift from its original position. This is what results in a bunion’s characteristic bump or lump on the side of your foot.
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Bunions are generally a result of wearing shoes that don’t fit properly, particularly shoes that are too tight in the toe region. Another reason that could cause bunions is wearing high heels on a regular basis. Other possible risk factors include:
Osteoarthritis of the knee or hip
Injury to the big toe
unusual foot structure
Rheumatoid arthritis
Family history of bunions
When a bunion isn’t treated right, the toe eventually crosses over neighboring toes if there is ongoing pressure on the toe joint, resulting in extreme discomfort. Many people dealing with this issue have a really hard time finding shoes that accommodate the misshapen joint.
Treating bunions
Fortunately, treating bunions isn’t that complicated, 1 Health offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions, depending on your specific condition
In the bunion’s initial stages, nonsurgical options like stretching and bracing may help slowly put the joint back, when the toe joint is still flexible. To reduce swelling and pain anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed, along with prescription shoe inserts are prescribed to prevent crowding and to support the joint.
For more advanced bunions, the orthopaedic may recommend bunion surgery. This procedure helps in realigning the big toe joint surgically so that it is properly positioned. The surgery is almost always performed on an outpatient basis and is minimally invasive, using light sedation so that you are completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
After bunion surgery, orthopaedics will provide a special surgical “boot” so that you can keep pressure off the joint and also protect the toe. Complete recovery may take around five to six weeks. Once you’ve recovered, special exercises to promote better movement may be recommended.
Don’t Ignore Your Foot Pain
Bunions can change the way you walk because of the pain they cause, a lot of pressure is put as a result on other parts of your foot, including your hips, lower back, and knees. Without the right treatment, additional painful problems may arise in the future that can interfere with your quality of life.
At 1 Health Medical Centre, Dr. Rakesh Mohan helps patients get the custom care they need to correct their bunions, relieve their symptoms, and prevent further problems. If you’d like to know more about bunion treatment, book an appointment online or call the office today (9562090606).