Why Your Bunions Might Be Getting Worse
If a bunion is ignored long-term, it can damage both the affected MTP joint and surrounding tracts of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Symptoms often appear with little warning or become more intense over time, affecting how you stand and walk. Some bunions even raise your risk of developing secondary conditions, which can be as mild as a callus or as serious as arthritis.
How a Caldwell Podiatrist Could Help You Beat Bunions
Unfortunately, once a bunion starts to form, the bones cannot be shifted back into place to stop its progression without surgery. In more severe cases, an advanced surgical procedure like the lapiplasty bunionectomy we offer at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle may be recommended to properly fix the misalignment.
However, our experienced bunion foot doctors would rather step in earlier to provide you with more non-invasive techniques to help reduce painful symptoms and adjust structural deficiencies to prevent your bunion from getting worse.
After a thorough examination and a consultation about your activity level and lifestyle, we’ll design a customized treatment plan that fits your short-term needs and long-term goals. This holistic approach includes many options:
- Managing symptoms. The intent is to lessen swelling and irritation by applying ice packs more frequently, using foot massage and stretching techniques, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin when necessary.
- Lifestyle modifications. Adjusting your level of activity, choosing a more healthful diet, and changing to specialized footwear might also be helpful.
- Custom orthotics. Large, painful bunions can make finding the right shoes downright difficult. Another solution our Idaho bunion podiatrists offer might be custom orthotics, a type of prescription-grade footwear built specifically for your feet and clinical needs.
- Therapy. Our team can also help you manage your symptoms at the clinic and at home through a combination of medication-based therapy, physical therapy, and removable splinting.
If surgery is truly the only remedy to keep your bunion from getting worse, trust the entire surgical team at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle to offer you exceptional care before, during, and after your procedure.