As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, a bunion is a type of foot issue that will not fully heal on its own. Now, that’s not to say that every bunion needs surgery, but if your bunion progresses beyond a certain point, the only way to address the problems you’re dealing with will be through a surgical procedure. But how can you know if you need surgery or if conservative techniques can help control symptoms and prevent further bunion progression? Below, we take a look at five symptoms that suggest you have progressed to the point where you need a corrective procedure.
It’s Time To Pursue Bunion Surgery
If you say yes to any of the following points, there’s a strong possibility that the right course of care for your bunion will involve a corrective surgery.
1. Difficulty Wearing Shoes – If the bunion has become so severe that it’s difficult for you to comfortably wear shoes, it’s time to talk with a foot and ankle specialist about surgical treatment. You wear shoes daily, and if the bunion is inhibiting your ability to do so comfortably, you have passed the point where conservative care is best.
2. Significant Pain – Mild pain can typically be managed through non-operative techniques, but moderate or severe pain means the big toe joint is dealing with a lot of damage that will be best addressed with an operation.
3. Conservative Care Isn’t Effective – Conservative care can help alleviate some symptoms and can keep the bunion from becoming more severe, but if these treatments aren’t yielding any symptom improvement, it’s time to consider a more hands-on approach.
4. Impacted Quality Of Life – If you wake up each day dreading certain physical activities or worried about how your bunion will impact you today, it’s time to talk to an orthopedic surgeon. If your quality of life is severely impacted by the presence of a bunion, it’s time to do something about it, and oftentimes the best treatment is an operation.
5. Mobility Restrictions – Finally, if you are struggling to bend or flex your toe as a result of your big toe joint deformity, it’s time to consider restoring mobility with the help of a surgical procedure. Dr. Silverman can realign the joint and stabilize the entire toe complex so that you can move your toe again without pain or significant restrictions.
If you’re dealing with any of these issues or have questions about how to care for a smaller bunion, connect with Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot. For more information, or for help with a different foot issue, give our team a call today at (952) 224-
