Bunion Correction
Your doctor may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter pain
reliever, as well as a medication to relieve the swelling and
inflammation. A heating pad or warm foot bath may also help relieve the
immediate pain and discomfort. A few people may find relief with ice
packs.
If your bunion isn't persistently painful and you catch it early,
changing to well-made, well-fitting shoes may be all the treatment you
need. Some doctors advise bunion pads, splints, or other shoe inserts,
providing they don't exert pressure elsewhere on the foot and aggravate
other foot problems.
In some cases, an orthotic specialist can prescribe shoes with specially
designed insoles and uppers that take the pressure off affected joints
and help the foot regain its proper shape.
Surgery may be recommended for some bunions, but only when symptoms are
severe enough to warrant such intervention. Surgery for strictly
cosmetic reasons should not be done since the risks may be greater than
the benefits.
Surgery for a bunion, called a bunionectomy, is done in a hospital or a
surgery center under local or general anesthesia. The surgeon can often
realign the bone behind the big toe by cutting the ligaments at the
joint. For a severe bunion, you may need to have the bone cut in a technique
called an osteotomy. Wires or screws may be inserted to keep the bones
in line, and excess bone may be shaved off or removed. Some of the
potential complications of surgery include recurrence of the bunion,
inadequate correction, overcorrection (the toe now points inward),
continued pain, and limited movement of the large toe. Some bunions may
be secondary to another deformity, like flat feet, therefore the primary
deformity needs to be addressed first.
Foot Clinic of Santa Cruz County
521 Capitola Ave. Suite A
Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: 831-462-2132
Fax: 831-462-2930
E-mail: drjnov@hotmail.com
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