PODIATRIST DISCUSSES CONSERVATIVE VS SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BUNIONS

According to Lance Johnson, DPM, “In evaluating a bunion, your practitioner will likely examine your foot structure, examine your big toe joint, and order x-rays of your foot. Bunions are progressive and can become larger over time. Treatment options include both conservative and surgical options. Conservative treatment options focus on symptom relief. They include footwear modification (wearing shoes with a wider toe box or special padding), activity modification, over the-counter pain medication, topical medications, icing, injections, and orthotics.”

 

Dr. Lance Johnson

 

“If conservative therapy fails and the pain caused by the bunion interferes with work or activities of daily living, then surgery may be an option. There are a wide variety of bunion procedures depending on the severity of the bunion, your foot structure, and presence of arthritis in the big toe joint or surrounding joints. Surgery focuses on getting rid of the bump and realigning the bones around the big toe joint, either with bone cuts or joint fusions. Pins, screws, and plates may all be used to help hold the correction in place. Recovery time will vary based on the procedure selected by you and your surgeon. Non-weight-bearing recovery for the affected foot can range from three to eight weeks,” says Dr. Johnson. 

 

Source: Bluffton Icon [2/20/22]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News