One of most common podiatry issues that Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer, aka Dr. Ike, sees in our patients at Town Center Foot & Ankle are bunions and bunionettes. Bunions are bony deformities that form below your big toe, and bunionettes are similar protrusions below your little toes.
If you have bunions or bunionettes, you may see related symptoms like corns and calluses, and experience regular foot pain or discomfort. You might also have difficulty finding shoes that fit you comfortably without rubbing too much or pressing painfully on your bunions.
Talk to Dr. Ike about your bunion-related pain. He can help you find the right strategies and treatments to keep you moving, standing, and resting in comfort.
Here are four of Dr. Ike’s most frequently recommended tips and tricks for successfully handling bunion-related pain and discomfort.
In addition to underlying structural or genetic factors, bunions are often caused by problems with the fit of your footwear. If your shoes are too tight or put too much pressure on the front of your foot with a high heel, your toes can’t function in correct alignment, and bunions can start to form.
If you’re just starting to develop bunions, get rid of shoes that pinch your toes and switch to more supportive footwear. You may be able to reverse the problem and ease your symptoms.
Even if you have a large bunion, changing to the right footwear can do a lot to improve your foot function and comfort.
Low heels and enough space for your toes and the full width of your foot are essential if you have bunions. You can ease friction and pressure on a bunion using gel inserts or arch supports. Talk to Dr. Ike about your options for custom orthotics, as well!
In order to keep moving and not get bogged down with bunion pain, rely on such pain management strategies as:
When you’re comfortable and not overwhelmed by pain, it’s easier to keep other parts of your lifestyle healthy, improving your overall physical wellness.
Every extra pound you carry puts more pressure on your lower extremities, making podiatry problems like bunions that much worse. You may be able to improve your bunion-related pain with healthy weight loss.
Low-impact exercise options that don’t demand too much of your feet, like swimming and cycling, are best if you want to lose weight in order to relieve foot pain.
Dr. Ike may also be able to recommend specialized physical therapy exercises and stretches to support your foot health and strengthen the area around your bunion.
Dr. Ike encourages his patients to try conservative pain management and bunion treatment options first, but for severe bunions that are very painful, he may suggest bunion removal surgery.
We focus on keeping your surgery as minimally invasive as possible. Bunion removal surgery may involve removing inflamed or damaged tissue and realigning bones and tendons.
To learn more about your options for preventing and managing bunion pain, contact us at Town Center Foot & Ankle of Kingwood and Atascocita, Texas, online or over the phone, and schedule your appointment today.
