Find out how to manage your bunion symptoms and when to consider surgery.

Regardless of whether you want to sport those lovely pair of sandals or your new high heels, you may realize that you’ll want to do something about that bump that’s sticking out at the base of your big toe. This is known as a bunion or, as our McKinney and Prosper, TX, podiatrists call it, a hallux valgus.

This deformity occurs when the joints and bones of the big toe are misaligned and stay that way so long that all the pressure and force causes the protrusion to get larger and the big toe to lean inwards on the other toes. So, what can you do to treat pain, discomfort or other symptoms of having a bunion?

In the beginning, our McKinney and Prosper foot doctors will offer up conservative but effective approaches for treating your symptoms. Some people don’t experience symptoms at all but if you have pain or pressure near the joint here are some ways to tackle this issues:

• Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce swelling and pain. We know this is only a temporary solution but one that can help here and there along with other treatments.
• Wear a moleskin pad to cover over the bunion. This will help take pressure of the bony protrusion and prevent friction and pressure when walking in shoes.
• Talk to us about whether getting custom orthotics could redistribute the weight more evenly on your feet and take pressure off your bunion.
• Only wear shoes that give your toes enough room to wiggle and move around.
• Consider wearing a foot splint at night while you are asleep. This splint can help reposition your toe so it’s in the proper alignment, which will reduce pain.

When is it time to get surgery?

If your bunion is causing severe or chronic pain, or it makes it difficult to walk or move around comfortably then we may recommend surgery. This is usually the case for those who’ve had pain for at least a year and haven’t experienced relief from the above treatment methods.

If you aren’t sure whether you have a bunion it’s a good idea to have the foot specialists at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center in McKinney and Prosper, TX, take a look and make sure before you start treating your symptoms. Call us today to schedule an appointment.