Bunions can be a problem any time of the year, but we tend to get more calls about the foot condition during the warm summer months. This is both interesting and not surprising at the same time. It’s interesting because the most common cause of bunion is overly tight and poor fitting shoes, which is much more common during the colder months when we place our feet in shoes and boots. However, it’s also not surprising because bunions are often unsightly in that they create a visible deformity on the side of the big toe joint, and wearing sandals or going barefoot during the summer means your feet and your bunions are on display more often. This usually leads to more calls to our office about treating or surgically addressing bunions.
Like a number of health conditions, bunions are an issue that need to be addressed early in order to yield best results. In other words, if you notice that a bunion is developing, or you’re dealing with pain in your big toe joint, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a foot specialist. We even offer telemedicine options so you can be seen from the comfort of your home, so there’s really no reason to delay treatment.
Treating Bunions
Bunion treatment depends on the severity of the big toe joint dysfunction. If you took our advice and sought treatment while the bunion was still in its infancy, treatment usually revolves around conservative methods. As you might have guessed based on the intro, the most common adjustment is to transition the individual into a more comfortable shoe with a wider toe box so that there isn’t excess pressure on the big toe joint. Your doctor may also recommend shoe padding, limiting time in certain shoes and orthotic inserts to help redistribute stress on your foot. These may help to alleviate symptoms and preventing further joint deterioration.
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or if joint damage is excessive, a more hands-on course of treatment may be recommended. For these patients, Dr. Silverman often recommends a minimally invasive bunion correction operation. This technique helps restore function, return a joint to a stable location and is less taxing on the patient. Learn more about the procedure in this video.
Bunions typically respond well to minimally invasive surgery, but again, your results will depend on how long you put off treatment, so you’re only making it harder on yourself if you choose to ignore that bump forming on the side of your foot.
So if you want to show off your feet with confidence this summer, consider setting up an appointment with Dr. Silverman to talk about your bunion and get a treatment plan in place. As we mentioned above, we can see you with a virtual visit, or we can see you in office, whatever is easiest for you. You can schedule your virtual appointment by clicking on the above link, or you can schedule your online appointment or in-house visit by calling (952) 224-8500. Let us help you take care of your bunions.
