Bunions are foot deformities that cannot be reversed non-surgically. If a bunion specialist in the Sugar Land area diagnoses you with this condition, it means that you have an abnormal, bony bump that protrudes away from the foot. This bump develops at the base of the big toe. Even if you’re not sure if you’re ready to have surgery, you should talk to a specialist about your conservative treatment options. Simple lifestyle changes, like a change in footwear, can help prevent bunions from getting worse.

Asymptomatic bunions might not require surgery.

The surgical realignment of the toe is a serious procedure. If your condition isn’t causing painful symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid surgical intervention. It’s possible to develop chronic pain in the area after surgery, even if you didn’t have pain there beforehand. On the other hand, your doctor may determine that surgery is an appropriate option for you if any of the following problems apply to you.

• You have chronic inflammation that isn’t relieved with rest or medicine.
• You’re no longer able to bend and straighten the affected toe.
• You’re experiencing pain despite lifestyle modifications and medications.
• You suffer from significant foot pain that interferes with your daily activities.

There are several types of bunion surgery.

Bunion surgery is complex, and there are several approaches your doctor could use. The technique used on your foot depends on the underlying cause of the deformity. An osteotomy involves cutting the bone and realigning the ends. The bone pieces are held in place with surgical hardware like screws or pins. An osteotomy may be performed in combination with soft tissue correction, if your soft tissues are too tight on one side of the toe, and too loose on the other side. Other surgical options include arthrodesis and resection arthroplasty.

You have a few anesthesia options.

It usually isn’t necessary to have general anesthesia for bunion surgery. Some patients have the operation with just local anesthesia, which numbs the foot. Regional anesthesia is injected at the knee area to numb some of the leg above the foot. Spinal anesthesia eliminates all feeling below the waist. If you choose local, regional, or spinal anesthesia, you may decide to request a sedative to help you stay relaxed during the procedure.

Foot pain is common during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Since staying physically active is important during pregnancy, consider talking to a foot doctor in Sugar Land about your foot pain. Your foot doctor can evaluate the extent of the swelling and determine if it could be a sign of an underlying complication.

When you watch this video, you’ll learn that the lower extremity swelling that occurs during pregnancy is symmetrical. If you notice that one of your calves or feet is more swollen than the other, your doctor may ask you to have an ultrasound to check for blood clots. Sometimes, sudden and significant swelling may indicate preeclampsia, which can also cause headaches, blurry vision, and upper abdominal pain. Both preeclampsia and blood clots are serious medical conditions that require an immediate medical evaluation.

When your feet are in good condition, this can help make everyday tasks easier and promote your overall wellness. If you want a clean bill of health when you see your podiatrist in Sugar Land , then use the following tips to maintain the health of your feet:

Wear the right shoes.

Wearing improper footwear is among the leading causes of foot problems. If you’re a runner or athlete, then be sure to choose shoes that provide your feet with sufficient cushioning and arch support, and to switch to a new pair when your current set wears out. If you’re someone who likes to wear high heels, then limit how often you wear any that have a height greater than an inch or 2. Frequently wearing high heels can cause nerve damage, lower back pain, knee pain, bunions, and hammertoes.

Don’t ignore foot pain.

One of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to their foot health is ignoring pain symptoms and allowing small problems to progress into bigger ones. In many cases, simply resting your feet and taking a break from exercise and sports can be sufficient for allowing your feet to heal. If you have persistent pain symptoms, however, then it’s important for you to see a podiatrist for an examination.

Practice good foot hygiene.

Keeping your feet dry and clean can go a long way in preventing skin and toenail infections. Whenever you bathe, remember to give your feet and toes a thorough scrubbing with soap and water and to dry them afterward. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent fungus from taking hold, so wear shoes and socks that offer air flow and avoid having any excess moisture around your toes.

Watch out for problems.

Simply looking at your feet on a regular basis is one of the best things that you can do to help keep your feet healthy. If you notice unusual sores, bumps, or calluses on your feet, or that your toenails are flaky, thick, or discolored, then you should schedule an appointment with a foot specialist.

Referred to by foot specialists as edema, swelling of the foot and ankle can result from a range of factors. Are you thinking about seeing a podiatrist in Sugar Land about your foot and ankle swelling? If so, then watch this video to learn about the possible causes of this problem.

Edema occurs when fluid builds up in the body. If you’re experiencing this symptom, then you should visit a foot doctor or primary care physician for a diagnosis. In the case of edema, the fluid buildup occurs when cells in the body leak fluid into nearby tissues, which causes the area to swell. Edema is more common in individuals who are pregnant, have diabetes, or suffer from blood vessel, heart, liver, and kidney conditions. If you’re experiencing swelling in your feet and ankles, then schedule an appointment with your podiatrist or primary care physician.

If you’ve visited a podiatrist or a foot specialist for diagnosis and treatment of a foot problem, and have since noticed that your symptoms or ailments have reoccurred, you may be a great candidate for reconstructive foot surgery. The non-invasive treatments that were provided by your previous podiatrist may not have been effective, or you may have opted for foot surgery and found that your symptoms later returned. A podiatrist specializing in reconstructive foot surgery near Sugar Land will be able to offer you some relief.

Non-Invasive Treatments Were Ineffective
Many common foot ailments can be treated with non-invasive methods, and that is likely where any podiatrist will begin his treatment. Plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, hammertoes, ganglion cysts, and bunions can all be treated non-surgically. If non-surgical options fail and symptoms persist, your podiatrist may recommend that your condition be treated through surgery. While surgery is often a last resort in treatment, it is typically the most effective way to treat these conditions.

A Previous Foot Surgery Was Unsuccessful
Despite surgery, some foot problems can reoccur years later. Ganglion cysts and bunions can both return even after a seemingly successful foot surgery. Additionally, surgeons are not infallible, and you may find that the foot surgeon you previously visited did not perform the surgery perfectly, resulting in complications or problems. Hardware such as screws or plates that were used in your surgery may become loose or need to be replaced. Certain other conditions may return or reoccur, requiring further surgery to relieve symptoms.

You Are Suffering From Foot Pain and Loss of Function
Reconstructive foot surgery is sometimes performed as a primary treatment option for certain foot problems. If you’re suffering from intense foot and ankle pain, a deformity, or a disease that has resulted in the loss of function of your foot or ankle, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. Such foot problems include adult flatfoot syndrome, a foot or ankle fracture or break, acute stages of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, severe neuromas, and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

If you’re suffering from foot pain or heel pain, visiting a podiatrist can lead to a diagnosis and treatment options that can offer you relief. A foot specialist in Sugar Land will attempt to treat your condition with non-invasive, or non-surgical, options first. These treatments include minimizing your use of your affected foot, icing the area, taking ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation, and using splints or orthotics to correct the problem.

If these treatment options are unsuccessful, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to preserve your foot health. Conditions that may require reconstructive foot surgery include adult flatfoot syndrome, a foot or ankle fracture or break, acute stages of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, severe neuromas, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. If a previous surgery proved unsuccessful in treating foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, hammertoes, ganglion cysts, and bunions, you may require further reconstructive surgery.

Reconstructive foot surgery can provide relief from foot and ankle pain, and can prevent further deformity to the feet and toes. This surgery will help you regain the full function of your foot and ankle, allowing you to resume activities that may have been painful for you pre-surgery.

Flat feet are the result of a muscle imbalance that is passed down through families. A person with flat feet is more likely to develop other issues like hammertoes, bunions, lower body fatigue, and calf pain. If you have flat feet in Sugar Land , the foot and ankle specialist can help you correct the problem. Keep reading to find out how:

Reconstructive surgery gives the podiatrist the chance to reshape the foot to help a patient regain function and stability. This surgery can also reduce pain and lower the risk for other foot issues. The surgery is often accompanied by tendon repair, bone fusion, joint implantation, or soft tissue repair to ensure that the patient regains full use of the foot.

If you have flat feet, you should talk to your podiatrist about surgical treatments to find out if they are the right option for you. The foot specialist will give you a thorough exam to find out the best way to correct your issues.

Heel spurs can be very painful, and this can discourage sufferers from being active. If you experience pain in your heel, talk to your Sugar Land podiatrist or foot specialist about heel spur treatment. Watch this video for a look at how heel spurs are treated.

Heel spurs develop gradually, and can come to be very painful; the condition resembles walking with a pebble under your foot, but the disturbance is actually a part of your heel. There are a number of treatments for heel spurs. Your foot doctor may inject the area with cortisol, apply a friction massage, or call for a custom orthotic. A custom orthotic provides cushioning so that the heel spur does not bear weight.

Podiatrists are specialist foot doctors who can provide services such as bunion surgery and heel spur treatment. Talk to your podiatrist about treatment options if you suffer from heel spurs or bunions.

How to Treat Heel Spurs