When Do Bunions Require Surgery?
Bunions are common, especially among women, and most of the time, you can adequately treat a bunion at home. However, if your bunion is causing constant pain, your efforts aren’t working, or you’re experiencing numbness in your foot, it’s time to seek medical care.
Dr. Pritesh Patel and his team at Florida Foot and Ankle Associates can provide effective bunion treatment. From simple approaches such as icing, pads, tape, or a splint, to more intensive treatments such as surgical intervention, we want you to enjoy excellent foot health.
Here are a few bunion basics you may want to keep in mind when you consider treatment options.
Bunions stick around
The medical name for a bunion is a hallux valgus, and it forms due to a problem in your metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which is the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions don’t develop quickly.
Over time, your big toe begins to angle inward, toward your other toes. Your joint builds new bone on the outside to protect itself, and that new bone is what causes the telltale bump associated with a bunion.
Once your toe begins to turn inward and new bone builds up on the outside of the joint, the damage can’t be undone without surgery. Bunions are progressive, meaning they happen over the course of time, rather than all at once.
When you have surgery to correct a bunion, Dr. Patel realigns your MTP joint and shaves away the protrusion of extra bone. This returns your foot as close as possible to its pre-bunion shape.
Bunions hurt
As the bony protrusion pushes outward, it encounters more friction, and that friction causes inflammation. Inflammation makes wearing shoes uncomfortable; some people even find it impossible to fit into regular shoes.
If your bunion hurts all the time and you’re limited to wearing flip flops, it may be time to consider surgery.
Associated bunion problems
As bunions get worse, they can cause additional issues, such as:
- Hammertoes
- Calluses or corns
- Bursitis
- Ingrown toenails
Additionally, an advanced bunion changes the balance of your foot, which means it can cause pain in other places. Surgery can correct the bunion and the associated issues it’s causing, too.
Bunions aren’t pretty
Some people may argue that feet are never pretty, but living in Florida means your feet are probably on display often. If you’re bothered by the appearance of your bunion, surgery might be the best solution.
You’re the only person who can decide if your bunion requires surgery, but an experienced podiatrist can offer guidance and answer any questions you may have. Schedule an appointment today with Pritesh Patel, DPM, to find out more about treating bunions and what your best option may be.