A bunion forms when your big toe bends toward your other toes, resulting in a prominent bony bump that protrudes at the base of the big toe joint.
Many lucky people have no symptoms when they have a bunion, or they might just have mild pain or swelling. However, for some, bunions can be chronically uncomfortable and even affect their mobility.
Fortunately, Dr. Biren Shah offers surgical solutions for patients of Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates who are dealing with severe bunion problems.
He and his compassionate team are dedicated to delivering care that’s patient-centered, listening carefully and responding to your questions, and partnering with you before, during, and after your bunion procedure.
Here’s guidance from Dr. Shah regarding treatment plans for bunions and when surgery might be your best option.
If you’re living with a bunion or bunions, you’re far from alone. About one-third of Americans must cope with bunions.
Bunion symptoms manifest at different levels and may include:
This wide range of symptoms can occur in various combinations, depending on the individual, and may worsen over time.
You’re at greater risk for developing bunions if they run in your family, you live with certain conditions like arthritis, or you’ve spent years in constrictive shoes.
They may also develop if you engage in activities that compress your feet, or you’ve experienced a foot injury or damage to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.
Another common cause is shoe selection. Have you been a lifelong fan of fabulous, fashionable shoes for years? Although they’re fun to wear, they can be a nightmare for your feet in the long term.
Wearing shoes that are narrow, have a tight toe box, or compress your toes in any way can contribute to the development of a bunion.
How disruptive to your life must a bunion be for Dr. Shah to recommend surgery? Many patients come to our office wondering this, but hoping to avoid such an intervention.
Initially, Dr. Shah has an array of noninvasive treatments he uses to ease bunion pain and other symptoms. These include icing at home, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and using bunion pads, tape, spacers, or custom orthotics.
He may also suggest minimally invasive cortisone injections to relieve pain.
However, bunion surgery may be your best bet if:
There’s no reason for you to endure worsening or severe bunion symptoms that can severely cramp your style.
When more conservative approaches haven’t been successful, Dr. Shah offers several surgical treatments, depending on the severity of your symptoms and other factors.
This procedure involves Dr. Shah removing the extra bone that comprises your bunion.
During this procedure, Dr. Shah realigns your toe joint by surgically inserting metal screws and pins into your bone. The surgery straightens your bones, producing a better-balanced joint.
In this surgery, Dr. Shah removes arthritic tissue before using screws and pins to realign your toe joint. This procedure is best if your bunions are severe or if you’ve had past bunion surgery that was unsuccessful.
