Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Michael J. Petrocelli, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., C.W.S.P.
Board Certified Ankle and Foot Surgeon and Board Certified Wound Care Specialist
Bunions are a type of foot deformity, caused by the joint of your big toe protruding. It is often triggered by wearing pointed or ill-fitting shoes that squeeze your toes into unnatural positions.
A form of arthritis can cause these painful, red, boney, growths, but uniquely, bunions can also be hereditary and run in families, especially in females, generation after generation. More women than men experience the painful boney growth on their big toe, known as a bunion, or Hallux Valgus. One of the leading causes of a bunion is from wearing shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too high. All of this causes pressure on your toe joint, which in turn starts to ache, become fluid filled and can have boney growths.
Facts About Bunions
• It is often times hereditary
• Shoes can rub and hurt your feet even more
• Pain that limits your everyday activities, even with proper shoes
• Inability to walk more than a few blocks without pain
• Toe deformity
• Pain persisting even with anti-inflammatory drugs
• Bunions not healing even after a change in shoes or medication
• If it is affecting your quality of life? You haveoptions!
Conservative Bunion Treatment
For a conservative approach, many individuals will start out trying to alleviate their pain by wearing more comfortable shoes, or by wearing gel toe inserts that help keep the toes in the proper alignment. Icing the foot can help to tamp down inflammations, as well as taking NSAID’s (ibuprofen) as needed to lessen the discomfort.
Do You Need Surgery?
When the conservative approach begins to stop working, which is not unusual, as most bunions fail to heal on their own, surgery is the definitive answer. Surgery can be performed using minimally invasive techniques or more aggressive surgery depending on the severity of the bone, joint, and tendon dysfunction.
Generally, bunion surgery is done under an ankle block, which means that your foot will be completely numb, but you will not need to go under general anesthesia in most cases. Surgery can include removing boney spurs, removing part of the toe bone, relieving tension on ligaments and tendons, realigning and reconnecting the joint and bones. Depending on the complexity of your surgery depends on your need and level of anesthesia.
The total recovery can take a few months, but initially, you will be in a protective boot or cast for the first two to four weeks. You will be able to get around, but you must take precautions as to not injure your surgical site, and instead, allow the foot and toe time to heal properly.
BUNIONS ARE PAINFUL! It’s always best to be proactive and get them treated before they get too advanced.
A podiatrist will evaluate your symptoms and pain level, and from there create an individualized plan for your best treatment options. They will provide you with the best solution for your needs.
Collier Podiatry
It’s important to be evaluated by an experienced podiatric professional if you’re experiencing any type of foot pain. At Collier Podiatry, Dr. Michael Petrocelli has been practicing podiatric medicine for well over 20 years. He is an expert in his field and a leader to his peers, he and his staff see a countless number of patients with heel pain and injuries in the Naples area.
Along with bunion treatment, Collier Podiatry will provide you with personalized instructions on the necessary amount of rest, stretching exercises and home care to get you back to doing what you love.
Please call Collier Podiatry P.A. today if you are suffering from bunions to discuss the treatment you need to relieve the pain and correct deformities!
The caring supportive staff at Collier Podiatry is available to answer your questions and make your appointment. Please visit their website at www.collierpodiatry.com, or call them at (239) 775-0019.
Collier Podiatry, P.A.
Michael J. Petrocelli
D.P.M., F.A.C.A.S., C.W.S.P.
239-775-0019
www.collierpodiatry.com
NCH Countryside Commons
1715 Heritage Trail, Suite 204
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 775-0019
Fax: (239) 775-0219