Advanced Foot Care relieves the burden of bunions

When it comes to bunions, people can find themselves dealing with a multitude of discomforts and inconveniences, but thanks to the team at Advanced Foot Care, relief is in sight.

Dr. Michael Wiles

Dr. Michael Wiles explained that bunions form when there are forces of deforming pressure that do not allow toes and joints to expand enough and correctly.

"If the big toe does not move up at least 60 degrees uninhibited, that deforming force along with a hyper mobile joint are what cause bunions 90 percent of the time," he said. "Shoes will aggravate bunions, but do not cause them."

He went on to assure that bunions are a result of those two areas of weakness that people are inherently born with. People who battle bunions typically complain of pain and trouble finding a pair of shoes that do not aggravate the condition.

In the realm of prevention, Wiles said there are several things that patients can do.

"Padding is the most common help in the form of bunion splints and silicone pads and orthotics to help the bunion from getting worse," he explained.

Cortisone injections can provide some relief if the bunion is really swollen, red and painful and help keep it calmed down for several months.

"For very mild ones, some studies are showing that Botox injections can help relax the muscles in between first and second toes, but like anything else, it has to be repeated, and it is not covered by most insurances," Wiles said.

For patients with moderate or more severe cases, surgery is the best bet. Dr. Wiles said the procedure consists of shaving off the bump and making a cut into the bone in order to slide the joint back into the correct place on the foot. Screws and plates are used to hold it in place and recovery ranges from six to eight weeks, or as long as 12 weeks depending on the patient's condition.

"Wedges or fusing of the joints can also come into play," he said.

People who suffer from bunions should get them evaluated and not put off surgery if it is necessary. Wiles said at Advanced Foot Care, an evaluation begins with an X-ray of the foot to check the intermetatarsal angle. From there, a course of treatment will be recommended.

"It will more than likely get worse if left untreated," he said. "Bunions can become red, painful and cause pain whether you're walking or standing, or really any time."

The good news is for those who need surgery, it is covered by most health insurance programs and is not considered cosmetic.

"Some patients wonder if they can come back, and the answer is only if surgery is done incorrectly," Wiles said. "If a surgeon chooses a simple procedure for it, like shaving off the bump and doesn't balance the tendons, then it returns."

Patients recovering from a surgery typically wear a cam boot that can be walked on, but Wiles stressed that activity should only be limited to things you have to do.

"You gradually work your way out of it and start walking normally again in four to six weeks," he said, adding that as long as everything heals correctly, patients can go right back to wearing whatever kinds of shoes they like or prefer.

Noteworthy:

"[Bunions] will more than likely get worse if left untreated," said Dr. Michael Wiles of Advanced Foot Care.