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Podiatric Treatments Work to Relieve Your Discomfort & Help You Enjoy Life Again
Dr. Brent Carter
Fashion and trends in shoe wear are often the cause of women’s discomfort and issues with their feet. One condition in particular that has been plaguing women for years is bunions. Like other inflammatory arthritic conditions, bunions can be hereditary. It’s not uncommon for patients to tell their podiatrist that their mother, sister, or aunt had bunions. After the age of 40, many women begin to notice that their big toe joint hurts, and in moderate to severe cases, it may even begin to protrude and rub on the inside of their shoes. Once this happens painful sores can form, and the joint may begin to swell, causing even more discomfort.
What Can You Do?
Many women will try and work through the pain, but bunions are progressive and once they become inflamed, many people succumb to wearing more comfortable shoes, or using 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.
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.
American Foot & Ankle Centers Offers Advanced Surgical Options
In bunion surgery, the toe bone is cut in half, and part of the bone is removed. In many cases, there is a need to relieve tension on surrounding ligaments and tendons to try and realign the joint and bones. 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.
Dr. Brent Carter
Podiatric Physician & Surgeon
(352) 388-4680
www.americanfootankle.com
1714 SW 17th St, Ocala, FL 34471
