When Bunion Surgery is Needed
When you have a bunion on your foot, trying to walk around comfortably can be a huge challenge. This is a common hereditary foot problem that occurs because of varying degrees of strength and weaknesses found in the feet and legs. Wearing shoes that are too tight can aggravate the condition or create it in the first place. If the bony joint on your big toe gets bigger, the bunion can create a lot of pain when you walk.
Self-Care Measures
Typically, most people with bunions will first try and treat them on their own. Some self-care options include getting bigger shoes which offer more room or taking a break from close-toed shoes for a while. Other patients may just try to ease the pain by taking over-the-counter pain medicine and hope the bunion heals without any help. Patients also might try padding or taping the foot in order to protect the bunion from irritation and for pain relief.
Bunion Surgery
When self-care options are not giving you the relief that you need, you may want to consider bunion surgery. Traditional surgery options for bunion relief include surgically removing a part of the bone in the big toe in order to make it straighter. Other traditional options include removing the affected tissues by the big toe joint and having the long bone behind your big toe realigned. A lot of people shy away from traditional bunion surgeries because they can cause side effects to your foot that are worse than the bunion pain was. To reduce the risk of trauma to your foot from traditional bunion surgeries, bunion sufferers may want to opt for the minimally invasive bunion surgery option instead.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
This type of bunion surgery comes with less risk than traditional surgical options. It involves the doctor making the smallest incision possible. The surgery is able to be performed this way because of the availability of special miniature visualization instruments.
This type of bunion surgery offers many benefits over the traditional types. Some of the main benefits include less bleeding, minimal to no scarring, and less pain. The recovery time after minimally invasive bunion surgery is shorter than other surgeries. You will be able to get back to your normal routine in a short amount of time.
Choosing Shoes for Your Needs
If you are wearing properly fitted shoes that are suited to your activity level and specific needs, you will be able to both enhance your performance and prevent injuries. Keep the following in mind when looking for a new pair of shoes.
Athletic Shoes
When you go to try on athletic shoes, wear the type of socks that you would typically wear for your specific physical activity. While wearing the shoe, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes, and the shoes should be comfortable right away. Make sure the heel doesn’t slip as you take a few steps.
If you participate in a specific sport three or more times a week, you will need a shoe that is specific for that sport. You can ask your foot and ankle doctor about the best material or weight for your sport. For example, walking shoes will have a smooth tread and good shock absorption, while a jogging shoe will have good traction and flexibility. These special traits are designed to help prevent things like shin splints, heel pain, and stress fractures. Sports like bicycling and golf will involve specialty shoes.
Everyday Shoes
You have a little more flexibility when it comes to choosing everyday shoes, but it is necessary to make sure they still have a good fit. You should have a thumb’s width of space between the tip of your big toe and the front of your shoe. If you choose to wear high heels or other tight shoes, avoid wearing them for too long.
Children & Seniors
Both the younger and older generations have specific shoe needs. For children, you need shoes with a thick sole to prevent injury. The shoes also need to have enough room because children’s feet tend to grow quickly. On the other hand, seniors will need shoes that have plenty of grip and traction in order to prevent slips and falls.
Considerations
It’s important to remember that shoe brands roll out new designs and features all the time, and it can be easy to get caught up in selecting the newest innovation. However, what is new might not be what is best for your feet. When in doubt, your doctor can point you toward the best shoes for your needs. If you find that you have foot problems even after making a careful selection, you could inquire about arch supports, inserts, or custom orthotics.
