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Treatment Options For Bunions


 

Treatment Options For Bunions
 By Center for Podiatric Medicine
 February 21, 2018
 Category: Foot Health


Have you stopped participating in your favorite activities due to bunion pain? Thanks to several treatment options, it's possible to reduce or  eliminate your pain. The podiatrists at the Center for Podiatric Medicine in Schaumburg and River North, IL, share some information about bunions and explain how they're treated.

What are bunions?

Bunions occur when the joint at the base of your big toe moves out of alignment and begins to lean toward or overlap your second toe. Although high heels and tight shoes were once thought to cause bunions, foot doctors today know that's not the case, although wearing tight shoes will certainly worsen your symptoms. Many people who have bunions aren't the only people in their families with the condition. Because abnormal foot structure or mechanics are often inherited, your genes may have more to do with your condition than your footwear choice.

How can I manage bunion pain?

Wearing shoes that aren't wide enough to accommodate the bump at the base of your foot can be very painful. Once you swap tight shoes for ones that offer more room in the toe area, you may find that your pain decreases. In addition to choosing wider shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning for your foot, you may benefit from orthotics. The shoe inserts, specially designed for you in our Schaumburg or River North office, hold your foot in the optimum position and can slow the progression of your bunions.

Ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication can be helpful if your feet hurt at the end of a long day. As if bunion pain wasn't bad enough, many people who have the condition develop corns and calluses when the big toe constantly rubs against the second toe. Wearing corn pads can reduce pain and prevent corns and calluses from worsening.

What if home treatment doesn't help?

Although home treatment measures may reduce your pain and slow the progression of your condition, they can't eliminate your bunions. Surgery is the only way to restore the normal appearance and function of your joint. The type of surgery that your foot doctor recommends will depend on the severity of your condition.

Bunion treatment can help you lead a more active life. Call the podiatrists at the Center for Podiatric Medicine in Schaumburg and River North, IL, to schedule an appointment if you're tired of living with bunions.

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