Bunions
Many patients ask me how and when to treat bunions. Bunion problems are very common especially in women. A bunion is a large bump on the bone of the big toe and it is frequently angled outward. Sometimes it is even angled towards the other toes. Most bunions do not hurt and I am a firm believer of the saying that “if it works then do not fix it”. However, if the bunion is painful, treatment is indicated.
There are many causes of bunions including hereditary, injury, neuromuscular disease, congenital deformity, and poorly fitting shoes.
Most bunions do not hurt. They usually hurt when something presses on the bump, such as tight shoes. So, the easiest and most conservative treatment is to watch your shoes. Do not wear tight shoes, wide soft-shoes are the best. If this is not helpful, then we try anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin or stronger pills. Other conservative treatments are orthotics, cortisone injections, and FINALLY surgery. Surgery involves removing the bunion and thus it relieves the pain. But like all surgeries, beware of the complications of bunion surgery.
Bunions are difficult to treat and I like
when patients ask me questions about the problem.
For more information on bunions, click
here.
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