When people are considering bunion surgery there are many factors to consider. First it is recommended that all more conservative, non surgical bunion treatments are exhausted. However, if your bunions are painful and cause you to restrict your activities or are painful during everyday activities bunion surgery may be considered.

Non Surgical Bunion Treatments

These include padding the area, bunion splints, change of footwear or modifying existing footwear. There are dozens of non surgical treatments available and just as many surgical procedures to treat bunions. However, most non surgical bunion treatments do not actually correct a bunion. Non surgical bunion treatments typically address the issue of pain and may slow the progression of a bunion. The most effective non surgical bunion treatment can be determined by an evaluation by a podiatrist that will recommend a style of padding or device for your unique case. Our most popular and most successful options include prescription orthotics for bunions and various styles of splints. Most over the counter orthotics are unable to address specific issues, especially foot deformities which a bunion is classified as. Custom made orthotics can provide the relief for bunions and address any other conditions such as gait abnormalities that can lead to pain.

More information about non surgical bunion treatments is available on our site. Or next post will highlight some of the common procedures used in bunion surgery.

Surgical Bunion Treatment

Bunion sugery is by far one of the most common procedures performed at the Bellevue Surgery Center. This common deformity can be easily corrected with the appropriate procedure. Most of the time, Bunion deformity correction involves surgery of the first metatarsal and involves cutting the head of the bone where the base of the bone is. The bone that was cut is now relocated into proper position and often held in place by a screw or plate. Bunion surgery can be very successful as long as the appropriate procedure is sleected. We highly recommend making sure you see a surgeon who performs a lot of bunionectomies. We have performed thousands of procedures at the Bellevue Foot Surgery Center. Bunion surgery should be a relatively easy process and we have an established protocol with outlines and handouts that will take you through the entire process. We see a lot of second opinions and failed bunionectomies because proper procedures were not selected in the first place.

It is not surprising that many patients ask about natural bunion treatments and ways to avoid bunion surgery. There are ways to reduce bunion pain and slow the progression of a bunion. The best way to understand what caused your bunion to begin with is helpful. Read about what causes bunions.

There are many pads, bunion splints, and orthotic devices available over the counter that can help in the treatment of bunions. However, unless your bunions have been properly evaluated it is not likely that most people will know what device is best for their type of bunion. It is not that there are many different types of bunions, the issue is understanding the cause, progression and severity of your bunion that dictates what actions will provide the most benefit to a patient. Many websites and even doctors sites sell different types of bunion relief pads, splints and other devices and claim they are the best. Many of these devices are effective at reducing the pain associated with a bunion and may slow the progression, however they are unable to tell you which device is best for your specific situation.

Every patients feet are different, everyone has a different gait and pressure points on their feet when they hit the ground are different. Therefore, determining the best device for your bunions requires evaluation. Often prescription orthotics provide the best relief. Painless 3-D imaging is performed to obtain a digital scan of your feet and pressure points are identified. This information is used to craft exacting shoe inserts that provide the best relief for many patients. There are many myths about natural bunion treatments, however the most effective natural bunion treatments use splints, pads, orthotics and may include some minor modifications to footwear and activities. If the pain is severe and the bunion is preventing you from participating in activities, you may consider surgery. However, surgery is only recommended after natural bunion treatments and non-surgical bunion treatments have been exhausted.