Bunions are painful protrusions that appear on the side of the foot on the joint where the big toe meets the foot base. Although bunions may only be mild annoyances at first, they can grow to require bunion surgery in Sugar Land . If you have a bunion, see your foot doctor as soon as possible. Ignoring a bunion can lead to serious complications.

Without bunion treatment, bunions can continue to grow. They will push your big toe inward towards the neighboring toe, which can be painful. Likewise, they can grow so large that is painful to wear shoes. When bunions progress to this stage, conservative treatments are unlikely to work, and you may need bunion surgery.

With early bunion treatment, non-invasive remedies can be helpful. Your foot doctor may recommend bunion padding, anti-inflammatory medications or injections, physical therapy, or orthotic shoes. While these treatments don’t completely get rid of a bunion, they can be effective enough in controlling your symptoms and slowing the progression of the bunion that you don’t need bunion surgery.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your foot pain, then you may benefit from bunion surgery near Sugar Land . When left untreated, bunions can cause you severe discomfort and affect your quality of life, but surgery for bunions can potentially provide you with relief from your painful symptoms.

Understanding Bunions

Bunions are one of the many possible causes of foot pain. A bunion is described as an enlargement of the MTP, or metatarsophalangeal, joint, which is located at the base of the big toe. If you’re unsure about the nature of your condition, visit a foot specialist as soon as possible to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan. Some of the common symptoms of a bunion include swelling, redness, or pain. You may also notice a firm bump on the outer edge of the MTP joint and restricted motion in your big toe.

Treating Bunions

Your podiatrist may first advise a variety of conservative treatments to address your painful bunion symptoms, such as ice application to reduce swelling, orthotic shoe inserts to offer cushioning and support, and shoes that provide plenty of space in the toe box to avoid aggravating your symptoms. When non-invasive methods fail to address your pain or prevent the progression of the condition, your doctor may advise surgical solutions for your bunions.

Removing Bunions

When you and your doctor determine that surgery is the best option for providing you with relief from your symptoms and repairing the MTP joint, you may be scheduled for a bunionectomy. This surgical treatment for bunions is a simple procedure that involves the removal of the bony prominence on your foot and is optimal for less severe cases of bunions. If your bunion condition is more advanced, a more involved surgery may be necessary. This type of treatment usually involves removing the bony prominence and realigning the affected joint. After their procedure, patients usually experience a few weeks of pain and discomfort which can typically be managed using medication prescribed by your podiatrist.

Foot pain can range from a mild annoyance to severe, debilitating pain that interferes with your everyday activities. If you experience foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. Conditions that cause foot pain can get progressively worse, so seeing a foot specialist in Houston in the early stages of your symptoms could prevent them from intensifying. Many different conditions can cause foot pain. Here is a closer look at some of the most common causes diagnosed by foot doctors.

Arthritis

Many different types of arthritis, from gout to rheumatoid arthritis, can cause foot pain. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of the disease, occurs when wear and tear damages the joints. Because the feet carry all of your weight, they are extremely vulnerable to this kind of arthritis. Your foot doctor will determine which type of arthritis is affecting your feet by considering your symptoms, using diagnostic imaging tests, and ordering blood work. Once the cause is diagnosed, your foot specialist can begin the appropriate treatment.

Bunions

A bunion is a lump that grows at the joint at the bottom of your big toe. Over time, the bunion can cause your big toe to bend against the neighboring toe, and as it grows bigger, it can become tender and red. When left untreated, bunions can become quite painful and make it difficult to find shoes that fit over the protrusion. In early stages, conservative treatment, including medications and shoe inserts, can alleviate bunion pain. When this doesn’t work, bunion surgery may be necessary.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes can lead to damage to the nerve fibers, particularly in the extremities. Although neuropathy can happen to anyone with diabetes, it is much more common in people with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. Neuropathy can lead to disabling pain and numbness in the feet. Because of the numbness, people with neuropathy can injure their feet without realizing it, which can allow a dangerous infection to occur that could lead to amputation. People with diabetes should examine their feet daily and see a foot doctor regularly.

The ankles are very vulnerable to arthritis because they carry a great deal of weight and are responsible for intense movements throughout the day. Depending on the severity of the arthritis, your foot doctor may recommend reconstructive ankle surgery in Houston to resolve your symptoms. Watch this video to learn more.

Ankle arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you are likely to experience symptoms in both sides. If you have osteoarthritis, your symptoms will likely be limited to one side. Report your symptoms to your foot doctor as soon as possible. A foot and ankle specialist may be able to offer treatments that prevent the need for surgery if you seek care early enough in the development of the arthritis.