Are bunions making your life more painful and less enjoyable than you would like? Dr. Brian Lynn and Dr. David Sacrestano at Comprehensive Podiatric Care in Great Neck, Mineola, and Uniondale, NY are dedicated to providing effective and personalized treatment for your needs.
Living with a bunion is not an enjoyable experience, as it can cause pain, numbness, or stiffness in the toes. As uncomfortable and painful as they can be, bunions are a very common issue seen by podiatrists. Below, Dr. Lynn and Dr. Sacrestano at Comprehensive Podiatric Care in Uniondale, NY share how bunions develop and how they can be treated.
The big toes contain a joint called the metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP joint. A bunion can develop when something causes this joint to become misaligned and the toe to move toward the other toes. The result is a bony bump at the toe’s base.
One of the most important steps in bunion treatment is addressing the factors that caused the bunion in the first place. Typically, the type of shoes people wear is to blame. High heels and those that are too narrow put unnecessary pressure on the MTP joint, which affects the alignment. In such cases, changing to wider shoes is key.
Another important step is to reduce additional pressure on the joint. Shoes don’t usually provide the right arch support, which can impact the joint. Custom orthotics can help take that pressure off, allowing the joint to heal.
Bunion pads and toe separators are also beneficial, as are bunion splints. These can all help keep the toe in its proper place and relieve pressure on the joint. However, in most cases, these only provide temporary relief.
Specific stretches and exercises are often recommended. In many cases, these can help strengthen the foot, which helps keep the joint properly aligned.
The goal is to treat bunions through conservative methods like those mentioned above. However, when a bunion has progressed too far, conservative methods might not provide the desired results. In such cases, surgery might be necessary. There are different types of bunion correction surgery, though. Your podiatrist can recommend the best option according to your needs.
Don’t let bunions impact your life any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Lynn and Dr. Sacrestano at Comprehensive Podiatric Care in Great Neck, Mineola, and Uniondale, NY by calling today. Call for more information at (516) 627-5775 for the office in Great Neck, NY, (516) 746-2059 for the office in Mineola, NY, and (516) 483-8895 for the office in Uniondale, NY.