Bunions can be a source of ongoing pain and swelling that can affect your ability to walk and perform your daily routine. If you have a bunion, then your foot specialist may recommend that you undergo bunion removal. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for bunion surgery in Sugar Land .

Undergo Pre-Admission Testing

Before the day of your surgery, your doctor may have you do some pre-admission testing (PAT) to ensure that you are physically and medically fit for surgery. While the nature of these tests can vary, they usually involve the taking of blood samples. Non-invasive heart examinations, physical examinations, and chest x-rays are other examples of PAT.

Stop Nicotine Use

As with many other surgical procedures, you may be advised to quit smoking in the time leading up to your surgery and during your recovery. Nicotine, along with other chemicals contained in cigarettes, can increase your risk for experiencing problems after your bunionectomy. The use of nicotine can slow blood flow to the leg and potentially increase your risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis, impede the healing of soft tissue and bone at the surgical site, and increase the chances of infection after surgery. To help ensure the best results from your bunion removal, it’s best not to use any products that contain nicotine before the procedure. Discuss your options for quitting smoking with your surgeon or primary care physician.

Purchase Orthopedic Devices

To promote better healing, your surgeon may advise you to avoid putting weight on your foot after your bunionectomy. To help with this, you may be provided with a list of devices, such as crutches, shower chairs, or walkers, to purchase before and use after your surgery.

Stop Eating and Drinking

It’s important to have as little contents in your stomach at the time of your surgery as possible. For this reason, your doctor will tell you to stop eating and drinking at some point before your appointment, with midnight the night before being typical. Finally, your surgeon may have you avoid certain medications before your surgery.

Impairment of the lower extremities is a common cause of inactivity among seniors , according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. There are several signs of foot problems that podiatrists in Sugar Land see more commonly in older patients. Continue reading to learn about podiatric issues that tend to develop later in life.

The cushioning, fatty pads of tissue in the bottoms of the feet tend to lessen as someone ages, leaving the foot more vulnerable to podiatric problems and foot pain. Brittle nails and dry skin are also commonly seen, as are problems with the bone and ligament structures.

To maintain your foot health as you age, podiatrists advise having your feet measured regularly to help ensure that you are wearing properly fitting and supportive footwear. Also, choose shoes that have a firm sole and soft upper, and shop for shoes early in the day, as feet tend to swell later on. Finally, bathe your feet in warm water daily, trim your toenails straight across, walk regularly, and see your podiatrist twice per year.

Are you planning to see a podiatrist in Sugar Land because of recurrent neuromas? If so, then continue reading to learn some important information about this type of foot problem and reconstructive foot surgery .

Characteristics

A painful condition that is sometimes referred to as a nerve tumor or pinched nerve, a neuroma is a benign tissue growth that is often located between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas are more common in women than in men and can be a recurring problem.

Symptoms

Sharp, localized pain or tenderness in between the toes and in the ball of the foot are the 2 most common symptoms of a neuroma. Numbness and tingling in the ball of the foot, a burning sensation in the ball of the foot and between the toes, and swelling between the toes are also possible symptoms.

Causes

Podiatrists aren’t clear on the cause of neuromas. However, there are factors that are associated with the formation of these painful growths. Trauma, for example, can damage the nerve and result in swelling and inflammation. Also, footwear that squeezes the toes together may increase your risk for this condition. For this reason, foot doctors advise that patients who suffer from recurrent neuromas wear shoes with a wide toe box and avoid heels higher than 2 inches. Finally, working in an industry that puts repeated stress on your feet or toes may lead to or aggravate a neuroma.

Solutions

Wearing proper footwear can be important for managing neuromas. Choose shoes with low or no heels, shock-absorbent soles, and plenty of room for the toes. Also, adding shoe pads to your footwear can relieve pressure from the painful area, and resting the affected foot as much as possible and applying an ice pack can provide relief from neuroma symptoms. If non-invasive options fail to prevent your neuroma from recurring, then your podiatrist may recommend foot surgery. During the procedure, the affected nerve is removed. This treatment can typically be performed on an outpatient basis, and recovery time is usually less than a month.

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. Has your foot doctor in Sugar Land diagnosed you with plantar fasciitis? If so, then he may recommend the use of injections as part of your treatment. Read on to learn about this treatment option.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Pain in the bottom of the heel is something that many people experience at least once in their life. Some of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis and the pain that it causes include wearing improper shoes, overusing the foot, being overweight, and having flat feet. The plantar fascia tissue is responsible for supporting the shape of the foot, is used more when you are standing, and works as a shock absorber. Scarring and irritation of this tissue are among the most common causes of heel pain.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

The standard approach to plantar fasciitis treatment is reducing the inflammation that is the cause of the patient’s foot pain. Early treatment usually starts with foot stretches and wearing a foot splint overnight, and anti-inflammatory or pain medications may be prescribed. If these methods fail to provide you with relief, then your podiatrist may advise injections.

Injections for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

If you are considering injections for plantar fasciitis because conservative treatment options have failed to relieve your discomfort, alert your doctor if you have any medication allergies or a skin problem that affects your foot before proceeding. During the procedure, your podiatrist will inject the medication at the location in your foot that is most painful. The injection may consist of numbing medication, steroids, or both. The injection site will then be covered, and your doctor will encourage you to restart your plantar fasciitis stretches as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do so. Any numbing medication in the injection should work for several hours, and the steroid component should provide you with pain relief for at least a few weeks.