Foot and Laser Surgery

How Does It Form?

Bunions typically become noticeable and painful in early adulthood between the ages of twenty and forty, and become more pronounced with age and activity. Usually bunions are caused by a genetic muscular imbalance and not by wearing improper shoes; however, improper shoes will make the bunion hurt. In third world countries, where shoes are not worn, bunions are still frequently seen reinforcing that shoes do not cause bunions. In most cases bunions are hereditary, and may occur with other foot problems. If your parents or grandparents had problems with bunions, you may likely get them as well.

The longer you leave a bunion untreated, the more harm it will cause. Arthritis may form in the joint and a deformation of the foot may follow, causing pain.

Symptoms

Patients with bunions might notice redness, swelling, pain and an angular protrusion at the side of the foot by the big toe. Crossing of the first and second toes may occur. Patients may also experience cramping and overall fatigue in the arch of the foot.

Diagnostic Test

Most likely, X-rays of your feet and a physical exam are the only tests required.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce foot pain and control the muscular imbalance. This treatment can be surgical or non-surgical. Depending upon the severity and needs of the patient.

The goal of treatment is to reduce your foot pain, by controlling inflammation, and any muscular imbalance in the area and prevent its recurrence or progression of the bunion. A surgical or non-surgical treatment may be used.

Non-Surgical Approach

If your bunion is not painful or you catch it early in its development, a non-surgical or conservative treatment plan may be effective. This usually includes good supportive shoes with the addition of an orthotic - a custom made arch support worn in your shoes. The orthotic will provide support to the structures of the foot (bones, muscles, and ligaments) and will balance your feet while walking. By supporting the muscular imbalance of the foot, we may be able to slow the progression of the bunion deformity. Occasionally, an anti-inflammatory injection into the area may relieve some of the discomfort. However, these measures are not a permanent cure.

Surgical Approach

Foot First Podiatry has a state-of-the-art surgical facility on site. There is no hospital stay required and most procedures can be completed within one to two hours. We also provide complete anesthesia services including the use of "twilight" sedation. This is done through an I.V. and allows the patient to be not only pain-free, but also the patient will not recall the surgical experience itself. Patients do not require the use of crutches, and there are no bulky casts.

Generally, no scarring or stitches are visible at the incision site. At Foot First, we not only care about the health of our patients, but also the cosmetic outcome of our surgery as well. Our doctors utilize plastic surgical techniques for closing the surgical site.

The procedure involves realigning the bones in the foot. This may be accomplished by breaking or cutting the affected bones and realigning the big toe joint. We may also need to release, transfer, or lengthen tendons and ligaments to correct any muscle imbalances. Surgical correction is the most effective method of treatment to correct the bunion, and is usually a permanent correction.

Limited walking is permitted the next day following surgery, generally in a surgical shoe that may be worn from one to three weeks after surgery.

You may experience postoperative discomfort which may be controlled by icing and elevating the foot, and by prescription medications. Most patients can return to work in just a few days depending on the type of work and footwear required.