Learn the top 5 things that will help you know what to expect during your bunion removal experience, and how to be back on your feet as quickly as possible.

A bunion, as you probably know, is that bump on your big toe. It is removed by shaving it off the bone; often the bone is fractured and a screw is placed temporarily (approximately three months) to secure it into an optimal position.

1. Scheduling Your Surgery

The procedure (called a bunionectomy) is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you check in and out the same day, often into an outpatient (ambulatory) surgery center. Typically you are required to have nothing to eat or drink for several hours prior to your procedure. Depending on other factors (age, general health, etc.) you may be required to have some lab tests (which is scheduled and have done at least the day before your surgery) to screen for anything out of the ordinary. Depending on procedural policies at your particular surgery center, you may receive a call from your anesthesiologist, the doctor who will deliver sedation for your surgery. He or she will ask some routine questions in order to best meet your needs.

The scheduling staff, either from your Doctor’s office, the surgery center, or both, as well as the nursing staff will all contact you. Schedulers are determining insurance coverage, consent forms and, of course, scheduling; the nursing staff will further screen your basic health back ground, as well as initiate teaching. You will need to know what to expect on arrival, during your procedure, and what you need after you get home.

2. The Day of Surgery:

You arrive, usually with someone who has driven you in for your procedure (You will NOT be driving home; do not ignore this directive). You have not had anything to eat or drink; you check in with the front desk staff; there are more consents and privacy policies to sign, insurance cards to provide. You may sit and wait a bit.

Next, you are invited back to the surgical unit. Now it seems more real. Usually there is an area to change into your backless gown, meaning you totally disrobe (some centers let you keep your underwear on, but not all do); you may get a locker to store your belongings. At this time you may be asked to remove glasses, contact lenses, all pierced jewelry, etc. This is as much for your protection as anything. For example, sometimes an electrocautery device may be needed during your procedure to coagulate a bleeding vessel (sounds a lot more serious than it is); the current could be attracted to metal on your skin, leading to a burn.

At some centers you are allowed to keep dentures in place, hearing aids, glasses, etc., until or unless you need to remove them.

3. Immediately Before Surgery

Next you start your pre-operative care: a checklist to ensure you haven’t eaten or drank, checking consents, possibly more consents, paper work blah blah blah. You will be fitted for a post-op "shoe" which is a rigid-soled, velcro-tabbed support that will be your best friend for the next several weeks. It is not attractive, but it does the job to protect you post-procedural foot.

You may also be fitted for crutches, depending on your particular circumstances. Your foot will probably be scrubbed or painted with a betadine solution to kill germs (cold, wet, brown, but good for your foot). You will be given a flimsy cap to cover your hair (to prevent infection).

So now you are looking pretty good; your foot is brown from the betadine, you are thirsty, you are wearing a stupid cap, no make-up, you hope no one is really noticing you (actually they’re not, this is just another day).

Either a nurse or the anesthesiologist will place an intravenous line in your hand,, wrist, or the inner crook of your elbow; you may or may not have a little numbing agent prior. It is uncomfortable but only for a moment. There is no needle in your vein after this, just an extremely flexible, sterile plastic tube-let, as flexible as cooked spaghetti. We are so fortunate in this day and age!

Eventually, your surgeon shows up and greets you. Things are happening more quickly; the flurry of check, re-checks, signing consents (the surgeon rechecks everything), and you now meet your operating room nurse, and darned if he/she doesn’t go through another checklist. You may be feeling frustrated by this point but you should feel good; these measures are in place to protect you. (WHICH foot is it? Right; left?) It’s kind of like the clerk at the department store who asks for additional ID; someone is watching out for you.

4. Surgery

Your bed on wheels takes you into the operating room; this is it. You will be greeted by your OR scrub tech, or perhaps it is an RN, and perhaps you met them before surgery (if you didn’t it’s only because they were in surgery already and couldn’t leave to introduce themselves). Everyone in the room will be in gown, masks, and odd headwear, maybe like your head cover.

You will move onto the operating "table", which is hard, cold (fresh sheets!) and narrow (so surgeons can reach anywhere easily). You will have electrodes attached to your torso and arm, a blood pressure cuff applied to your arm (hopefully the one without the IV), and usually a cold gel-based pad in case you have cautery to coagulate blood vessels. Next, your anesthesiologist, who will be behind your head, will begin instructing you on what is coming next.

Next, you will either:

Be completely inducted into general anesthesia, awakening after the procedure is finished,

Be given local anesthesia, which means numbing medication is injected into your foot for the procedure, OR

(Most likely) You will be given, through your IV, a short-acting sleep agent, and your surgeon injects the numbing medication while you are sedated. When you wake up, the procedure will be underway and you won’t feel any discomfort.

5. After Surgery

Once the surgery is finished you will be placed back on your guerney (the bed on wheels) and taken back to the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit). Your foot will be elevated, cold packs applied, fluids offered for you to drink. There will be a lot of instructions both verbal and written for you and your caregiver to follow. Your significant other hopefully will be by your side. Your post-operative "shoe" will be applied, crutches if ordered, you will be asked to empty your bladder once, just to check, and your surgeon will stop by if there is time. this usually happens within an hour.

Your instructions for your care at home are important as well.

Author: K. Petit

post op pain management bunion surgery

hello, Does anyone have info on what meds are good for post op pain management for bunion surgery? And did anyone take an anti nausea med to counteract the side effects of the narcotic? 

Bunion Surgery Dallas Tx.

Bunion Surgery Dallas Tx. This post was written by Mr Burnside on February 15, 2009. Posted Under: Dfw Surgeons. Its not only old people who get bunions.

What the pros and cons of bunion surgery?

What did it feel like immediately after? How long did it take to recover? Did you have to stay in bed a lot? Was it worth it in the long run? Can they.  

What Type of Bunion Surgery is Best for You?

Did you know there are over 100 types of bunion surgery?!

Technorati Tags: bunion surgery recovery, bunion surgery recovery time, bunion surgery types

So many people have bunions and suffer needlessly. Most don’t even understand what a "bunion" really is. We have been referring to a bump on the side of the big toe joint as a "bunion" for decades, but it is really much more than that.

Bunions are known in medical terms as Hallux Abducto Valgus which in English is a crooked big toe joint with a bump on the side. This is actually a progressive misalignment of the big toe joint which starts with a slight leaning of the big toe toward the second and then gradually produces the characteristic bump and joint symptoms. In the late stages of progression, the big toe actually can overlap or underlap the second and cause reactive hammertoes (contracted) of the other toes. Even though they are extremely common, most people wait until they have significant symptoms and deformity before they seek medical attention. Often they have had pain in shoes and with activity for years when they finally come into the office. This is because many peolpe think they always require surgery for pain relief.

What causes bunions? No, it’s not always the shoes! (But, they don’t help) Bunions are caused by the faulty biomechanics of your foot structure that you inherited. Couple that with high heeled shoes or even just shoes that crowd your toes (listen up guys who wear cowboy boots!) and you are prone to the formation of bunions.

Bunion symptoms are characterized by redness, swelling, grinding of the joint, burning pain, and occasional numbness.

Diagnosis of a bunion is done by x-ray findings together with physical exam. A bump is not necessarily always Hallux Abducto Valgus, so a complete podiatric exam including x-rays should be done to evaluate your condition. Many people actually have arthritis of the big toe joint or even just a cyst overlying the joint and think they have bunions.

Treatment includes shoe gear modification, an orthotic device to control the abnormal biomechanics, padding, anti-inflammatories or injection therapy to decrease inflammation, and at the later stages, surgery.

When is surgery needed for bunions? If you have pain every day, in every pair of shoes you own (including your athletic shoes) and you have treated your condition with conservative therapy without any relief; it’s time to discuss bunion surgery. Surgery should never be contemplated without pain and activity limitations. There are many advances in bunion surgery and varied procedures depending on your foot type, the stage of your deformity, your activity level, your medical history, and your age. Make an appointment to discuss surgery with your podiatric foot and ankle surgeon if you have progressing symptoms.

Bunion surgery, done by a board-certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon, has a 96% satisfaction rating according to a recent survey by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. 96% of the survey respondents identified pain relief as a desired outcome of the surgery, and 86% also said they hoped to improve their walking and increase their physical activity following surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 representing "much pain," the survey respondents averaged a score of 7 when assessing their pain before surgery, and the average score dropped to 2 when they assessed their pain six months after the operation. 92% said they were able to increase their physical activities — walking, running, golf, tennis, exercise — and 90% said they would recommend bunion surgery to others. This is great news! Many people fear the surgery more than pain every day in their shoes! Obviously, this fear is unwarranted!

Fear of surgery should not keep you out of the office because 80% of patients who come in asking for bunion surgery leave with a conservative treatment plan. Get your questions answered! Call or contact your podiatric foot and ankle surgeon today. Don’t live with the pain of bunions for one more day.

By: Dr Marybeth Crane

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information on foot and ankle health, visit our website at http://www.faant.com/patient_information.aspx or my blog at http://www.myrundoc.com/blog.aspx .

Technorati Tags: bunion pain relief, bunions + natural + remedies, remove bunions

One of the most common foot conditions is hallux abductovalgus, more commonly known as a "Bunion."

A bunion is a prominence on the inside of the foot, just before the big toe. Some people are more likely to develop a bunion, especially if a parent or grandparent had one. While there is treatment for a bunion in the early stages, most do not seek out treatment until it becomes problematic.

A large bunion makes it difficult to find shoes that fit properly. The bump of the deformity presses up against the shoe, causing it to not fit properly. The soft tissue overlying the bony bump becomes inflamed and uncomfortable. If this is happening to you, your podiatrist will likely recommend correction by surgery. The surgeon breaks the metatarsal bone, which has shifted and caused the bunion to form, shifts part of the bone over to straighten it, and then fixates it with either a pin or screw. That follows with weeks of using crutches, wearing a surgical shoe or boot, and hobbling along. Foot looks nice and straight. Bunion corrected…right? Wrong!

To fully understand, I need to explain why a bunion forms. Poorly fitting shoes are not usually the cause of a bunion. It is caused because the feet cannot always manage pressures in the most efficient manner. Due to some structural instability, which may come anywhere from the lower back down to the foot itself, the feet are forced to compensate in order to keep you walking. The imbalance is the part that is often hereditary. This shifts the pressures around and causes muscular imbalance and often forces bones to shift around.

So, the bunion is not the actual problem, but rather than the effect of the mechanical problems that caused it. So in correcting a bunion with surgery, we’re not addressing the underlying cause of the bunion. If the mechanical instability that caused a bunion is not addressed, it will come back! So what to do? How do we control mechanics?

Mechanical problems of the foot and leg can be corrected. The use of a custom orthotic device is the most common way to correct the underlying mechanics that cause instability, weakness, pain, and ultimately deformities such as bunions. During an evaluation for custom orthotics, your podiatrist will take measurements to be able to identify and understand the forces causing the bunion deformity to form. He will then take a mold of your foot by wrapping it in plaster, using a foam mold, or walking across a computer force plate. The mold is sent to a lab with a specific prescription to have the orthotics made.

So what if you don’t get an orthotics after bunion surgery? What could possibly happen? If you just correct the deformity, but don’t address the underlying biomechanical reason the deformity exists, you are likely to see the bunion returning over the next several years. The worst case I have seen is with a 25 year old woman. She had her first bunion surgery at age 16. In the following nine years, she had two more bunion surgeries. Not one of the doctors suggested the possibility of mechanical control with an orthotics to prevent future surgery. This, to me, is criminal!

The take home message is this: Surgery is a fine solution, and often the only solution, for a painful bunion deformity. Just realize that there are larger issues that need to be addressed. If your podiatrist does not bring up biomechanical control with an orthotics after surgery, be sure to ask about it.

Basic Bunion Surgery Bulletin

The types of bunion treatment procedures are varied and numerous. 

What the pros and cons of bunion surgery?

The most common complication of bunion surgery is a recurrence of the bunion months or years later.

Bunion, Treatment For Foot Deformities

A bunion is one of the most common foot problems. Dr. Ravaei gives you an effective treatment for many foot problems like bunion.

By: Dr Andrew Schneider

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dr. Andrew Schneider of Houston, TX is a physician and surgeon specializing in the foot and ankle. He is the medical director of Tanglewood Foot Specialists and treats all injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle. For more information and many informative videos, visit www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com and his blog at tanglewoodfootspecialists.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: bunion remedy, treat bunion, treatment of bunions

What is a Bunion?

A bunion looks like a ‘bump’ on the joint of the big toe; however, these bumps are not calluses. Instead they result from the bones in your foot becoming misaligned.

More often than not, the big toe is leaning inward towards the middle toe giving the appearance of a bump on the joint. Bunions are a progressive disease that warrants treatment by a Boston podiatry specialist or foot doctor early on.

What are the Symptoms of Bunions?

While some people may never have symptoms, most people experience pain at the base of the big toe near the joint, redness at the big toe joint, pain such as a burning sensation associated with activity, pain when wearing shoes, and numbness in the big toe.

What Causes Bunions?

Most people can blame their bunions on heredity. In other words, you may have inherited a faulty foot bone structure that makes you more prone to bunions. Flat feet are also a culprit and younger patients may be diagnosed with bunions because of hyper-flexibility. While wearing shoes that are too tight, high heels that crowd the toes, and spending a lot of time on your feet won’t cause bunions, these situations can exacerbate the problem causing symptoms to appear faster and be more severe. For these reasons, women are treated for bunions more often than men are.

Treatment for Bunions

As with most foot disorders, foot care doctors in Boston use a variety of non-invasive methods first before moving on to more invasive treatment methods, including wearing different footgear, using padding, and prescribing anti-inflammatory medications. If these treatment methods don’t work your Boston podiatrist may use injection therapy, and as a last resort, surgery.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is intended only as a resource and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions or foot care issues, consult with a qualified Boston podiatrist or foot care doctor in Boston.

By: Dr. Jordana Szpiro

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

About the Author: Dr. Jordana Szpiro is a Boston podiatrist providing comprehensive foot care and surgery to all ages. Dr Szpiro specializes in pediatric podiatry and custom molded orthotics. For more information or to contact Dr. Szpiro, visit Boston Common Podiatry.

Hallux valgus

museumoflondon posted a photo: Hallux valgus deformity of the great toe with a bunion, and bilateral hallux valgus.   Hallux Valgus

What is a bunion - A bunion actually affects the structure of the foot, which can cause intense pain and changes to the bone alignment of the foot.   

Foot Pain

Other causes of hallux valgus include inflammatory arthritis that can damage the joint and cause degenerative changes.

Technorati Tags: hallux valgus operation, hallux valgus symptoms, hallux valgus symptoms and physical exam

I saw a friend of mine at a coffee shop and he introduced me to his wife. He explained to her I was a podiatrist and foot surgeon. She launched into a trade of the nightmares of shoe shopping, and how there was horrible pain with every new pair, thinking that each would make her bunions gets worse. She asked, "Do shoes cause bunions?"

As a foot surgeon, this is one of the most frequent questions I get. The fact is, that shoes do not cause bunions; genetics cause bunions. If you have bunions you likely inherited them from your mother, father or grandparents. If you take a close look at the feet at a family gathering you can likely figure out who gifted you with the genes that led to your bunions.

Now, having said that shoes don’t cause bunions, let me clarify by saying that shoes can (and often do) make them much worse. Wearing high-heeled shoes can significantly increase the stress on your big toe joint. All of that increased stress can lead to instability in the joints of the mid-foot that actually accelerates the speed with which a bunion forms.

So although it might have taken 40 or 50 years to develop a bunion wearing flat shoes, the same person may develop bunions 10 to 20 years earlier just because of the extra strain caused by high-heeled shoes. Even if the shoes don’t have a gigantic heel, the shape of the shoe itself can also contribute to the early formation of a bunion. For example, cramped pointy toe shoes can push the big toe into a position that does contribute to the development of a bunion.

In addition, tight shoes and those with a seam that runs right over the bump (bursa) can make the bunion much more painful and irritated. Often times, tight shoes will cause bursitis (irritation of the bursa) or inflammation of the big toe joint. When this happens the bunion can become red, tender and inflamed.

The obvious solution to this is to avoid shoes that are likely to either cause bunions by increase the amount of stress on the big toe joint. This means wear sensible shoes. Shop for shoes that have only a moderate heel; two inches or less. Use common sense.

If you have a function to attend such as a wedding, formal ball or charity event, it is unlikely that one night in pretty shoes will do any long-term harm. Just don’t wear stilettos every day. You also want to make sure that you avoid shoes that have seams or stitching that will press or rub against the big toe joint, further irritating the bunion.

So, what is the bottom line when it comes to shoes and bunions? Well, have fun, shop for shoes, dress up when you need to be don’t go overboard on the high heels or pointy shoes. Even though you might not be able to do much about the genes that you inherited, you don’t necessarily have to end up with painful bunions.

Are Your Shoes Giving You Bunions?

So what is the bottom line on shoes and bunions? Well, have fun, shop for shoes, dress up when you need to be don’t go overboard on the high heels or pointy shoes.

Your Shoes Can Make Your Bunions Worse

While shoes don’t necessarily cause bunions, certain shoes can (and often do) make them much worse.

Solutions for Painful Bunions

A: Any shoe that pinches your feet could aggravate a bunion, so you need to be sure you’re giving your feet the room they need. 

Dr. Sadrieh introduces the Cinderella Procedure

Bunions and Tailor’s Bunions (smaller bunion on the outside of the foot) are often the cause of pain and constant grief for women that have to wear these kinds of shoes.
By: Dr Christopher Segler

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning foot and ankle surgeon with a podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He is the inventor of a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other surgeons about his techniques and how to decrease pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at www.anklecenter.com.

Technorati Tags: running shoes for flat feet and bunions, shoe bunion stretcher, shoes that correct bunions

Bunions are one of the most familiar foot problems. Bunions are often reported as a bump on the side of the big toe.

Bunions most usually affect women. Bunions happen nearly 10 times more often in women then men. The large toe may turn in toward the second toe (angulation), and the tissues surrounding the joint may be swollen and fragile. Bunions cause from inflammation and thickening of the bursa (fluid-filled sac in the connective tissue) and abnormal bone composition and misalignment of the toe. Bunions may be caused by taut, pointy-toed, or high-heeled shoes, and shoes that are too small.

Women get bunions most more frequently than men. Improper shoes infuriate the underlying cause of unstable flat feet. A bunion can be caused, or made sick, by arthritis, a condition where the protective cartilage covering the joints becomes diseased or damaged. Some people also attend to put more stress than normal on the inside of the foot when they run or walk, making them more prone to bunions. Symptoms of bunion is swollen or red bony bump at the base of the big toe. The bunion is painful and the skin over it becomes dense and calloused from friction against the shoe. The skin end the bunion may break down and type an ulcer.

Many people who have bunions have them on both toes. There are many treatment options for bunions and they will vary with the type and severity of each bunion and will also rely on what is causing the symptoms. Surgery is the only way to completely remove the deformity that causes bunions. The bony growth is removed, and the bones of the big toe realigned. Anti-inflammation medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can reduce inflammation and pain. You can prevent bunions by wearing restful, well-fitting shoes. Use felt pads to help retain pressure off the painful area of the bunions.

Local cold pack is use sometimes helpful as well. If you must wear heels, make sure the shoe is not taut and narrow at the toes and try to avoid wearing heels for large periods of time. Orthotics can help slow the progression of the bunion and also treat the associated symptoms. Bunion night splints can reduce the size of the bunion. This will straighten the bunion while you sleep. A Bunion Shield can reduce the pain over the bunion. Apply a moisturizer such as flexitol heel balm twice daily to hard skin or corns and use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of the hard skin.

Bunions and Flat Feet

Bunions and Flat Feet Foot Problems. … I will be seeing a doctor about possible bunion surgery and don’t know how the flat feet will play into it. 

Solutions for Painful Bunions

Dr. Raj answers your questions about bunions, bruises, and colon cancer.  

Bunions

What is a bunion - A bunion actually affects the structure of the foot, which can cause intense pain and changes to the bone alignment of the foot.  

Big bunions

Victoria Beckham has reportedly found a DIY cure for the unsightly bunions on her feet. By: Juliet Cohen

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Technorati Tags: foot bunion, hallux valgus bunion, how do you get bunions

Even though bunions are a common foot deformity, there are misconceptions about them. Many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment.

What is a Bunion?
Bunions are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. With a bunion, the big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment, producing the bunion’s "bump."

Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which continues to become increasingly prominent. Usually the symptoms of bunions appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.

What Causes a Bunion?
Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Although wearing shoes that crowd the toes won’t actually cause bunions in the first place, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse. That means you may
experience symptoms sooner.

Symptoms
Symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes-shoes with a tight toe box or high heels. This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. In addition, spending long periods of time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of bunions. Symptoms, which occur at the site of the bunion, may include:

Pain or soreness
Inflammation and redness
A burning sensation
Perhaps some numbness

Other conditions which may appear with bunions include calluses on the big toe, sores between the toes, ingrown toenail, and restricted motion of the toe.

Diagnosis
Bunions are readily apparent–you can see the prominence at the base of the big toe or side of the foot. However, to fully evaluate your condition, the foot and ankle surgeon may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformity and assess the changes that have occurred.

Because bunions are progressive, they don’t go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike–some bunions progress more rapidly than others. Once your foot and ankle surgeon has evaluated your particular case, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.

Treatment
Sometimes observation of the bunion is all that’s needed. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if your bunion deformity is advancing, thereby reducing your chance of irreversible damage to the joint. In many other cases, however, some type of treatment is needed. Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of bunions, but they won’t reverse the deformity itself.

These options include:
Changes in shoewear. Wearing the right kind of shoes is very important.
Choose shoes that have a wide toe box and forgo those with pointed toes or high heels which may aggravate the condition.

Padding. Pads placed over the area of the bunion can help minimize pain. You can get bunion pads from your foot and ankle surgeon or purchase them at a drug store.

Activity modifications. Avoid activity that causes bunion pain, including standing for long periods of time.

Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help to relieve pain.

Icing. Applying an ice pack several times a day helps reduce inflammation and pain.

Injection therapy. Although rarely used in bunion treatment, injections of corticosteroids may be useful in treating the inflamed bursa (fluid-filled sac located in a joint) sometimes seen with bunions.

Orthotic devices. In some cases, custom orthotic devices may be provided by the foot and ankle surgeon.

When is Surgery Needed?
When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it’s time to discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.

Recent advances in surgical techniques have led to a very high success rate in treating bunions.

A variety of surgical procedures are performed to treat bunions. The procedures are designed to remove the "bump" of bone, correct the changes in the bony structure of the foot, as well as correct soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. The goal of these corrections is the elimination of pain.

In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, the surgeon will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors.The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

A Problem in Your Big Toe
Your big toe is the hardest-working toe. Every time your foot pushes off the ground, this toe supports most of your body’s weight. Because the big toe is so critical to movement, any problem with it can make walking or even standing painful. A bunion (excess or misaligned bone in the joint) is one of the most common big toe problems. In addition to causing pain, a bunion changes the shape of your foot, making it harder to find shoes that fit. But you don’t have to hobble for the rest of you life. Bunions can be treated. With your doctor’s help, your feet can feel and look better.

What Causes Bunions?
Although they may develop on the fifth (little) toe, bunions usually occur at the base of the big toe. Bunions are often caused by incorrect foot mechanics.The foot may flatten too much, forcing the toe joint to move beyond normal range. In some cases, joint damage caused by arthritis or an injury produces a bunion. And some people are born with the tendency to develop bunions. If you’re at risk for developing a bunion, wearing high-heeled or poorly fitting shoes makes the problem worse.

Types of Bunions
Positional (mild) bunions arise from the growth of new bone. Structural (severe) bunions result when the joint at the base of the toe shifts position. Many bunions are a combination of both types.

Positional Bunions
As new bone grows, the joint enlarges. This stretches the joint’s outer covering. Force created by the stretching pushes the big toe toward the smaller ones. Eventually, the inside tendons tighten, pulling the big toe farther out of alignment.

Structural Bunions
When the angle between the bones of the first and second toes is greater than normal, the big toe slants toward the smaller ones. In severe cases, this may also cause the second and third toes to buckle.

Physical Exam
To determine the best treatment for your problem, your doctor may ask if and when your bunion causes pain. Your doctor may also test how far and how smoothly the affected joint moves. To see if incorrect foot mechanics is causing your problem, your doctor may watch how your feet rotate and flatten as you walk.

Testing
X-rays may be taken of your foot to show the position of the big toe joint. Your doctor may also want to see whether the bunion is affecting other bones in your foot.

How are Bunions Treated?
If a bunion is not painful or severe, your doctor may recommend that you wear a different style of shoes. Or you may be prescribed custom-made shoe inserts (orthoses) to control incorrect foot mechanics. For painful or severe bunions, outpatient surgery may be recommended after surgery, you’ll soon be on your way home and ready for recovery.

Shifting Soft Tissue
To realign the affected joint, any tight tendons on the inside of the toe are released (cut). New bone that makes up the bunion is shaved away.

Shifting Bone
The most common bunion surgery reduces the angle between the first and second toes. Bones in the big toe joint are realigned and the bunion is shaved away. Ligaments and tendons around the joint may be tightened to hold it properly in place.

Removing Bone
If a structural bunion is severe, a piece of bone is removed for the first metatarsal (the big bone behind the big toe joint). Once repositioned, this bone may be held in place with pins or screws. Any new bone that makes up a bunion is shaved away.

After Surgery
Bunion Surgery can both reduce pain and improve the appearance of your feet. For best results, see your doctor as scheduled and follow all recovery instructions.

Healing Takes Time
Your foot will be bandaged after surgery. If soft tissues were shifted, you may be given a splint to limit foot movement for a while. In such cases, the majority of healing should occur within a few weeks. If bone was cut, you may need to wear a surgical shoe or your foot may be placed in a cast. Depending on the extent of the repair, healing may take several months.

By: Craig Thomajan

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Victoria Beckham Bunion Do-It-Yourself Treatment

Victoria Beckham hopes to rid herself of the unsightly bunions that have disfigured her feet with the help of a do-it-yourself treatment. Victoria has.   

What are the options in bunion treatment

Cupertino Podiatry are specialists in the treatment of all kinds of feet problems, including bunion foot.

What the pros and cons of bunion surgery?

The most common complication of bunion surgery is a recurrence of the bunion months or years later. Bunion Treatment

Early bunion treatment involves changing footwear to accommodate for the foot. If the bunion persists and continues to be painful, surgery to remove the bunion may be considered.   

What causes a bunion

If you have bunions, or have any kind of foot problems or pain, whether or not accompanied by a bump, it should be checked up as soon as possible.

Craig H. Thomajan is a podiatrist at Austin Foot & Ankle located in Austin, Texas. For more information on a variety of foot ailments visit Austin Foot and Ankle

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