A bunion can cause significant pain and discomfort, and one can even make it difficult for you to walk, if not addressed. If you visit a foot specialist for bunion treatment in Sugar Land, then he may recommend surgery if you’re experiencing trouble walking or toe stiffness and if non-surgical treatments have failed to provide you with relief.

Watch this video to learn about the basics of bunion surgery. Bunions develop when the big toe’s metatarsal bone shifts towards the second toe and results in a bump inside the big toe’s first joint. During the procedure, you may be provided with oral or I.V. sedation and local anesthetic. Your foot will be numbed, and the surgical site will be prepared. To complete the procedure, your surgeon will cut or file away the bunion before suturing the incision closed.

Pregnancy causes changes to all parts of your body, including your feet and ankles. There are a number of different complaints women have about their feet during pregnancy, from foot pain to swelling, but many of these symptoms can easily be managed. If you are having persistent problems with your feet during pregnancy, see a foot doctor in Sugar Land for help. He or she can recommend strategies to reduce your symptoms and take the pressure off your feet. These tips will also help.

Limit the Time You Spend on Your Feet

Standing for long periods not only causes foot pain but can also cause swelling in your feet and ankles. Avoid standing for extended periods, and when you sit, try to keep your feet up. Rotating your ankles periodically as you sit can also help. If swelling is a persistent problem, try lying on your back with your legs elevated above your head. This can improve circulation from your legs to your heart and reduce the puffiness you’re experiencing.

Get Active Daily

Being active improves blood flow and can help to reduce ankle and foot swelling. Try a daily walk, swimming, or riding a stationary bike. It can also help to walk in a pool, as the water pressure can break up ankle and foot swelling. Simply standing in the pool can also be beneficial. Remember to check with your doctor before you start any exercise program during pregnancy to make sure that it is safe for you.

Keep Sipping Water

Many pregnant women try to cut back on liquids when they are experiencing swelling in hopes of reversing it. In reality, not drinking enough water and becoming dehydrated will only make swelling worse, as your body tries to retain as much water as it can. Drinking water can actually help to improve swelling, so be sure to get plenty of it each day. The Institute of Medicine suggests that pregnant women get about 10 cups of fluids each day. Ask your doctor what is appropriate for you.

During a bunionectomy, your foot doctor will remove the portion of the metatarsal head that is protruding to reduce the foot pain and pressure you are experiencing. The procedure is usually performed under regional anesthesia on an outpatient basis, so you will return home the same day as your surgery. The recovery process can be lengthy and last from six weeks to as long as a year in some cases, depending on how invasive the procedure was and how severe your condition was before surgery. If you are scheduled for bunion surgery in Sugar Land , here is a look at what you can expect during the recovery.

Caring for Stitches

After bunion surgery, you will have stitches at the site of the incision. They must be kept dry at all times and will need to be covered when you are showering or bathing. In most cases, your foot doctor can remove the stitches in seven to 21 days after the procedure. In some cases, you may also have pins in your foot that stick out. These are put in place to keep your bones in the proper position for healing. Pins stay in place for longer than stitches and are removed between three and six weeks after surgery.

Keeping Weight Off the Foot

After some bunionectomies, patients are not allowed to put any weight on their foot for six to eight weeks after surgery. Then, only partial weight bearing is allowed for a few more weeks after that before returning to normal walking. If your doctor doesn’t want you to put weight on your foot, he or she will prescribe crutches or another mobility device as needed.

Wearing Special Shoes

After your bunion surgery, you will not be able to wear your normal shoes for a period that can last anywhere from four weeks to four months. During this time, you may wear a walking cast, splint, wooden shoes, or other special shoes designed to support your healing. Your doctor will advise you when you can return to wearing your normal shoes based on how quickly you are healing.

X-rays are an important diagnostic tool for foot doctors . They allow doctors to evaluate a problem and to track the effectiveness of the treatments they are using. Here are some of the reasons your foot doctor in Sugar Land may recommend an X-ray.

If your doctor suspects that your foot pain is being caused by a fracture, he or she will order an X-ray to see the bone and look for signs of a crack or break. An X-ray can also tell your foot doctor if the bone has been changed by an infection, arthritis, or another bone disease. If you have suffered an injury, an X-ray lets your foot doctor locate pieces of glass, metal, or other foreign objects that can be lodged in the wound. In some cases, X-rays are used to ensure that children’s bones are growing properly. If you had your foot in a cast, your doctor will perform an X-ray when it is removed to make sure that the bones are fully healed.