Three of the most common foot disorders to require surgery are Bunions, Ingrown Toenails and Hammer toes.
Bunions are often seen as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. The visible bump actually means there are changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. With a bunion, the big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This puts the other bones out of alignment, producing the bump that we call the bunion. Bunions are progressive. They begin with the leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which continues to become increasingly prominent. Usually the symptoms of bunions appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.
What Causes a Bunion?
Bunions are most often caused by faulty mechanical structure of the foot. Certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes. Pointy shoes with a narrow section or high heels are the biggest culprits . This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. Spending a lot of time on your feet can increase the symptoms of bunions. Symptoms include pain or soreness, redness, burning and sometimes numbness.
Diagnosis
Bunions are readily apparent--you can see the prominence at the base of the big toe or side of the foot. However, to determine the extent of your problem x-rays will have to be taken.
Because bunions tend to worsen over time and they don't go away treatment should be sought. Your foot is individually evaluated and a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.
Treatment
Sometimes observation of the bunion is all that's needed. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if your bunion deformity is advancing, thereby reducing your chance of irreversible damage to the joint. In many other cases, however, some type of treatment is needed.
Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of bunions, but they won't reverse the deformity itself. Early treatment options include: changing your footwear. Wearing the right kind of shoes is very important. Choose shoes that are wide at the front, avoid pointed toes or high heels which may aggravate the condition. Pads placed over the area of the bunion can also help minimize pain. Avoid activity that causes bunion pain, including standing for long periods of time. Sometimes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help to relieve pain. Applying an ice pack several times a day helps reduce inflammation and pain. In some cases, custom orthotic devices may be provided by the podiatrist to adjust the weight in your foot and therefore reduce the pain in the bunion.
When is Surgery Needed?
When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options with your podiatric surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you. Recent advances in surgical techniques have led to a very high success rate in treating bunions. A variety of surgical procedures are performed to treat bunions. The procedures are designed to remove the "bump" of bone, correct the changes in the bony structure of the foot, as well as correct soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. The goal of these corrections is the elimination of pain. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, the podiatric surgeon will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
