Don't wait to seek help for painful bunions. Minimally invasive techniques can easily treat bunions but it can be done only for mild to moderately painful bunions. By the time it becomes severe, only open surgery can fix them.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a painful, bony bump that forms at the joint between your big toe and your foot. Most people's big toes naturally lean inward slightly towards the other toes. Over time, if the angle of your big toe becomes more pronounced, the point at which your metatarsal meets the toe becomes inflamed and enlarged. Bunions usually take years to form. While they may not hurt too much to begin with, eventually they can become so painful that even walking is difficult.
Symptoms of a bunion
Look out for the following signs and symptoms of a bunion:
A bony bump on the side of your foot next to your big toe
Your big toe pointing at a severe angle towards the other toes
Hardened skin or callouses over the bump
Redness or irritation
Warm, shiny skin on the bump
Swelling and inflammation
Pain when walking or moving the toes
Causes of bunions
Heredity. Some people are more predisposed to bunions than others, with your foot and bone structure being a major contributor to the problem. Often, bunions run in the family.
High heels. They are also more common in women than men, due to women's shoe styles tending to be tighter, and high heels, causing the bones of the feet to move into unnatural positions.
Ill-fitting shoes. Shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too pointed are more likely to cause the development of bunions.
Age. Bunions are also more common with age, as over time your feet spread, and your joints become weaker and more susceptible to damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis. The swelling of the joints due to rheumatoid arthritis can lead to bunions.
Bunion treatment
If your bunion is not severe, your doctor may advise that surgery is not necessary. Surgery always comes with risks and if your bunion isn't too serious, it may not be worth it. Alternative treatment and prevention methods include:
Medication for pain and inflammation
Foot baths or ice packs
Changing your shoes for wider, more supportive options
Orthotic inserts
Bunion surgery
Sometimes a bunion is so severe that it is too painful to cope with, or the joints no longer move or function. If there is no better option, your doctor might recommend surgical intervention to remove the bunion. There are many different methods to treat painful bunions.
Types of bunion surgery include:
Full bunionectomy, where the part of the foot that is bulging is removed
Fusing the toe joint
Implanting an artificial joint
Realigning ligaments around the joint
Reshaping the big toe and metatarsal bones
Osteotomy, making small cuts in the bones and adjusting their position
Depending on your individual requirements, your doctor may need to perform a combination of these procedures to correct the problem.
Typically very invasive, bunionectomies can be quite painful and take a significant amount of time to recover. You will not be able to walk on your foot for a few weeks, and you will need physical therapy to build strength again in your joints.
As minimally invasive techniques are developing rapidly in all areas of clinical care, minimally invasive bunion surgery is emerging as a popular option for treating bunions.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery aims to correct the problem with as little intervention as possible.
Instead of one long incision, your surgeon will make a couple of very small incisions.
Excess bone can be removed through the smaller incisions, which require only 1 or 2 stitches to be closed.
Small corrections can also be made through the incisions to shift and realign the bones.
The benefits of undergoing minimally invasive surgery include:
Shorter recovery time – patients are able to walk on their foot the same day of the procedure
Less pain involved with recovery
Minimal scarring because the small incisions require fewer stitches
Post-surgery
If you choose to go for a bunion surgery, by traditional or MIS techniques, you should be aware that there is a chance the bunion could reform. Overcorrection is also a possibility, where the toe is angled slightly the other way. There may still be pain in your joint, particularly if in addition to the bunion, your joint is also arthritic, or you have gout. There's also a chance you will lose mobility in your toes.
Recovery after a bunion surgery
Hence, after your surgery, you need to take the necessary steps to give yourself the best chance of a full recovery. You should:
Follow your doctor's advice about resting your foot
Take any prescribed medications for inflammation or pain
Participate in physical therapy to regain mobility in the joint
Wear supportive, wide shoes
Wear any orthotic supports or insoles your doctor recommends
Eat a balanced diet, including joint-friendly foods like oily fish, berries, grapes, olive oil, ginger and garlic
If you are suffering from a bunion, visit your doctor. They will discuss your options with you and help you decide on the right treatment with you.
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Felson, S. (2017, March 17) Symptoms Of A Bunion. Retrieved 26/2/19 from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-bunions-symptoms
How Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Is Different And Better. Retrieved 26/2/19 from https://northwestsurgerycenter.com/minimally-invasive-surgery/minimally-invasive-bunion-surgery-different-better/
Roth, E. (2017, August 18) Bunion Removal. Retrieved 26/2/19 from https://www.healthline.com/health/bunion-removal
Types Of Bunion Surgery (2017, March 21) Retrieved 26/2/19 from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw33887
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