Wondering how to give your feet the relief they need from bunion pain?
If you want to learn more about bunions and how they affect your foot health our Pismo Beach, CA, podiatrists Dr. Steve Clark, Dr. Brian O’Carroll and Dr. Byron Collier have the answers. If you suspect that you may be dealing with a bunion or if you are experiencing symptoms such as pain and swelling near the big toe, it’s important that you see a doctor.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a joint deformity that most commonly develops at the base of the big toe. This deformity often gets bigger over time, causing the big toe to lean toward the smaller toes. While this is a progressive condition, with the proper care you and our Pismo Beach, CA, podiatrists can prevent the bunion from getting worse.
Will high heels or the shoes I wear cause bunions?
While certain shoes can certainly exacerbate a bunion and lead to pain and swelling, poorly fitted footwear or high heels aren’t the only cause of a bunion. Bunions are usually the result of a misalignment or faulty foot mechanics of the bones of the feet, which can affect the joints. Furthermore, arthritis and certain foot injuries can also increase your risk of developing a bunion.
How can I tell that I have a bunion?
Since a bunion usually affects the bone at the base of the big toe, you may notice that the area is enlarged or juts out. Most of the time a bunion only affects one foot, so you may be able to see a difference between the affected foot and the normal foot. In more advanced stages the big toe may even lean toward the other toes or overlap.
How is a bunion treated?
There are so many ways to treat a bunion and most of them require simple nonsurgical options. Mild bunions may be relieved with proper footwear, custom orthotics crafted by our podiatrists, stretching exercises, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers.
When you come into our Pismo Beach, CA, office for bunion care, our podiatrists will create a treatment plan unique to you based on certain factors including your activity level, current health status, lifestyle and the severity of the bunion.
Do I need surgery?
Our foot doctors will be able to help you determine whether or not you could benefit from surgery. Even though surgery is the only way to correct a bunion it doesn’t mean that it’s necessary. In fact, most patients can get the relief they need without surgery. Surgery is often a last resort when other treatment options haven’t worked.
When surgery is necessary, know that Five Cities Foot and Ankle offers state-of-the-art lapiplasty 3D bunion correction, which addresses the unstable foundation of the foot by rotating the bone back into its proper position. The recovery process is much faster than with traditional bunion surgery and doesn’t require casting.
If you are dealing with a bunion, it may be time to turn to our Pismo Beach or Santa Maria, CA, team of podiatrists to discuss the best treatment options to get your symptoms under control. Call Five Cities Foot and Ankle today at (805) 481-9100 to schedule an evaluation.