The need for bunion surgery in Sugar Land often results from wearing shoes that distort the natural shape of the feet. Women in particular are at risk for bunion formation.

This video explains how footwear can impact foot health. Many women wear high heels, but this type of shoe can create unnatural pressure on interior side of each foot. As a result, the large toe bends inward toward the rest of the toes, which forces the bones at the base of the toe to protrude. A foot and ankle specialist may caution women who wear high heels to try other forms of footwear that allow the feet to move as they normally would. Shoes with a wide toe box can provide sufficient space and support, which can help in averting bunion surgery.

Bunion surgery in Sugar Land is often the most effective solution for alleviating bunion pain and dysfunction. Bunions are bone protrusions, so noninvasive treatment may only temporarily ease foot discomfort without actually addressing your foot health. Especially if your bunions are interfering with your ability to walk without pain, your foot doctor may decide that surgery is the best form of bunion treatment for your needs.

Before Your Treatment

Prior to undergoing surgery, your foot and ankle specialist may perform a comprehensive examination of your foot to determine the severity of your condition. The extent of your bunion problems can largely determine the type of bunion surgery you should have. Advanced bunions may demand the realignment of the joints in the foot and toe. This procedure often entails movement of the structures that make up and surround the joint, including bone, muscle, and connective tissue. Less severe bunions may require only the removal of excess bone.

During Surgery

For your comfort, your foot doctor can numb the surgical site. He can also provide medication to relax you during your procedure. The nature of your treatment typically determines the length of your surgery. Yet even the most complex cases are normally done as outpatient procedures so that you can return home the day of your surgery. Once your surgery is complete, your podiatrist may observe your initial recovery before determining that you can leave his office.

After Your Procedure

Your approach to your foot recovery can largely impact the success of your surgery. To facilitate the healing process, heed all postoperative recommendations from your podiatrist. If he wants you to stay off your treated foot, you may need to get assistance from friends and family so that you can prevent putting pressure on it. Even minor surgical procedures come with some risk of infection, so maintaining the cleanliness of your foot is likewise important. Change your surgical dressings as necessary and avoid activities that may compromise the integrity of your stitches. Keeping up with all postoperative appointments is key as well so that your foot doctor can supervise the progression of your recovery.

A foot specialist in Sugar Land typically will recommend reconstructive foot surgery only when more conservative treatment measures fail to address your foot concerns. While many people consider reconstructive foot surgery to be a major procedure, current surgical techniques can allow your foot doctor to correct your problem and help you begin recovery with minimal time and inconvenience.

Reconstructive foot surgery can remedy many painful foot issues. Flat feet are a common problem that can cause discomfort with every step. However, adult flatfoot reconstruction can give recipients healthier foot arches that enable pain-free mobility. Reconstructive foot surgery can also resolve discomfort from hammertoes, bunions, and ganglion cysts. If poor foot health is preventing you from enjoying the active lifestyle you want, talk to a podiatrist about whether reconstructive foot surgery is the right choice for you. In just days, you can be back on your feet without pain.

Bunions are often a chronic problem that can make finding suitable footwear challenging and walking without pain difficult. Understanding the circumstances that create bunions can help you better prevent them. If you already suffer from this issue, though, you likely need the help of a foot doctor in Sugar Land. A podiatrist can provide you with timely treatment that eases your discomfort and stems the progression of this common condition.

Why Bunions Develop

Should you have bunions, you may find your footwear to be the cause. When you regularly wear shoes that force your toes to squeeze together, you may actually change the alignment of your toe joints. Especially when your big toe pushes toward your smaller toes, the base of it may jut out. The longer that you use footwear that creates these conditions, the more likely that you will have bunions because of it. However, bunions may also form for reasons beyond your control. A foot and ankle specialist may tell you to look at the feet of your parents. If they have bunions, you may be genetically predisposed to this problem. Wearing poorly structured shoes may only hasten it.

How a Foot Doctor Can Treat Bunions

You do not have to live with a lifetime of bunion pain. Getting appropriate treatment for bunions as soon as possible can not only save you from further discomfort, but also prevent you from needing more extensive foot care. If you notice a problem in the very earliest stages of bunion formation, your foot doctor may recommend replacing your current footwear with shoes more accommodating of your toes. He might also introduce padding or orthotics into your shoes so that the side of your toes experience less severe pressure. If these measures cannot alleviate your condition, bunion removal may be necessary. Bunion surgery can be tailored to your needs. For instance, your foot specialist may decide that taking off a minimal amount of bone from the side of your foot is all you need to restore your foot health. Should you suffer from severe bunions, the surgical realignment of the toe joints might be the better treatment option.