A new year, a new foot. We’re talking about bunion treatment! Take a step in the right direction this year and invest in some treatment for, and prevention of, that lump on the side of your inner foot. Turns out, it’s as easy as a roomy pair of shoes, some orthotics, and maybe a surgical consultation with Kevin J. Powers, DPM.
First, avoid tight-fitting shoes and start wearing a roomier pair of shoes with low or flat heels, a wide toe box, and support for your arch. Bunion pads and a pair of custom orthotics will also take away some of your pain. However, they won’t cure a bunion. Stretching, physical therapy, and toe straightening splints may relieve pain, but are also not successful in making the problem go away. If you already have this extra bony growth on the side of your big toe joint, it may be best to discuss surgical options with Dr. Kevin Powers.
The good news is that Dr. Kevin Powers has performed hundreds of bunionectomies during his 25 years of practice as podiatrist. You can trust that a recommendation for surgery comes from expert experience and genuine concern for your foot health and quality of life. In fact, the smaller your bunion, the easier it is to correct your problem with a less-complicated surgery.
Put one foot in front of the other—get bunion treatment from Kevin J. Powers, DPM, in Bloomington, IN. If you feel like you might be a good candidate for surgery or want to try custom orthotics, call our office at (812) 333-4422. We’ve also made it easier to get help with Dr. Powers’ new permanent office hours at Daviess Community Hospital in Washington, IN, on Fridays from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Sometimes you have to be creative in fixing things to make them last. An old treasured antique may not look as good as new, but you can add polish and tweak parts here and there so it works. You can find such fixed-up items at the local B-Town, Jolly Roger, or other flea markets all the time. When things go wrong in your home and you can’t afford an expensive technician, sometimes you have to get creative and fix what’s wrong on your own. While bunions can ultimately be corrected with surgery if that is the route you choose, there are ways to take care of your bunions at home to prevent them from getting to that stage.
A bunion problem often develops because of inherited foot structure prone to this type of deformity. A foot injury, certain type of arthritis, and certain footwear can each be contributing factors as well. When the structures within your foot cannot bear or distribute weight properly, the big toe joint can become unstable and the big toe shifts over. It is when this happens that the characteristic bony bump protrudes on the side of the foot.
If you already have bunions, whether severe or just starting, start out by wearing the right kind of shoes. Steer clear of styles with tight, pointed toe boxes that would only encourage the toe to push over farther, and avoid high heels that put all of your body weight onto the ball of the foot. A weakened structure doesn’t need any unnecessary extra pressure. If your bunions are painful, avoid activities that aggravate the toe joint and apply an ice pack several times a day to reduce pain and swelling. Talk to your doctor to see if there is a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory medication that is appropriate for you to take. You can also try bunion pads or moleskin on pressure areas to protect the bunion from rubbing in your shoes. Last, it may be very helpful to wear a pair of orthotic inserts in your shoes to keep your foot stable and cushioned.
We don’t want you living life with pain and we know how painful bunions can get if they aren’t treated properly. Contact Dr. Kevin Powers if you have concerns about your bunions or would like further information. Call our office in Bloomington, IN at (812) 333-4422 for an appointment today.
Photo Credit: Marin via FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If you are over 50 years of age and like to be active, don’t miss out on the Senior Games in Ellettsville, IN! Taking place September 3-15, 2014, there will be a myriad of great events over the course of three weeks including: swimming, putt-putt, bowling, golf, softball, volleyball, table tennis and more. If this sounds like great fun, but a painful bunion problem is keeping you out of the loop, it may be time to look into bunion surgery to relieve your symptoms and get you back into the swing of things.
We have treated and helped many patients with bunions—some at the beginning stage who want to prevent their condition from getting worse, and others with severe deformity and pain. Bunions are unfortunately one of the common foot conditions that are progressive and worsen over time without intervention. You most likely inherited a faulty foot structure, which is the root cause for this problem, but poorly fitting shoes, such as pointy high heels, can make bunions worsen a lot quicker. At our office, we always exhaust all conservative treatment methods before discussing surgery. However, if such methods have been tried, yet you still have severe pain, are unable to wear shoes comfortably, cannot bend or straighten your big toe, and cannot engage in the activities you would love to do, then surgery may be the best option for you.
Dr. Kevin J. Powers, DPM can evaluate your condition and suggest the best plan of action. If bunion surgery is necessary, the goal will be to repair the joint damage, realign the big toe and restore function back to the toe joint. There are several types of surgery depending on the severity of your deformity, but almost all are done on an outpatient basis, and our office will guide you through every step of the process. If you have been living with constant pain out of fear of surgery, please contact us. We can answer all of your questions and find the best plan to help you find relief. Call Dr. Kevin J. Powers, DPM in Bloomington, IN at (812) 333-4422 today.
