TREATMENT OPTIONS

Conservative methods

To address the symptoms conservative methods can be used at first. Here are some of them:

•  Try changing your shoe gear. Wear wide-toed shoes and avoid using narrow, poor-fitting high-heeled shoes. You can also try cutting a hole in a pair of old, comfortable shoes to wear around the house.

•  Pads placed over the area of the bunion can help alleviate pain. It may help to wear felt or foam pads on the foot to protect the bunion, or devices to separate the first and second toes at night.

•  Avoid activities like standing for prolonged periods that may cause bunion pain.

•  Rest

•  Ice

•  Medications (ask your doctor for advice)

Orthotics

Orthotics are bunion cushions, splints, regulators while conservative measures include various footwear like gelled toe spacers, bunion / toes separators, bunion regulators, bunion splints, and bunion cushions.

Surgery

Bunion removal surgery may be recommended when the bunion gets worse and other, less invasive treatments (such as switching to shoes with a wide toe box) do not work. The surgical removal of bunion is called Bunionectomy or Hallux valgus correction. Surgery corrects the deformity by realigning the toe removing the bony bump and restores normal, pain-free function.

There are over 100 different surgical techniques that have been described to treat this condition and other pathologies associated with the bunion. For instance, procedures may address some combination of:

•  removing the abnormal bony enlargement of the first metatarsal

•  realigning the first metatarsal bone relative to the adjacent metatarsal bone

•  straightening the great toe relative to the first metatarsal and adjacent toes

•  realigning the cartilagenous surfaces of the great toe joint

•  addressing arthritic changes associated with the great toe joint

•  repositioning the sesamoid bones beneath the first metatarsal bone

•  shortening, lengthening, raising, or lowering the first metatarsal bone

•  correcting any abnormal bowing or misalignment within the great toe.

The age, health, lifestyle, and activity level of the patient may also play a role in the choice of procedure.

How is a bunionectomy performed?

Surgical removal of a bunion rarely requires a hospital stay. Bunion surgery can be performed under local, spinal, or general anesthetic. The surgeon will make a cut along the bones of the big toe into the foot and repair the deformed joint and bones. A pin or cast will be used to stabilize the bones.

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