Bunion Treatment – What You Can Do Instead of Surgery

If you have a bony bump on the side of your big toe, it is most likely a bunion. Have no fear, you join the ranks of countless others with this common foot problem. Ladies, many celebrities you may fashion your sense of style after are often caught on the red carpet with bunions protruding from the sides of their strappy sandals. Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham are just a couple who have had their bumpy feet photographed.

Watching your feet morph into an abnormal shape can be a little scary, not to mention painful, as a bunion problem worsens. While surgery may be the only option for some to truly get relief, there are many ways to avoid going down that path. You may be at risk for developing bunions if you have inherited a foot structure prone to this problem. If that is the case, or if you just want to keep your feet looking beautiful, some time and precautionary measures will go a long way.

The best place to start is to take an inventory of the kind of shoes you wear on a regular basis. While footwear isn’t a true “cause” of bunions, it can certainly contribute to the condition developing earlier and cause it to worsen more quickly. Avoid high heels and shoes with tight, pointy toe boxes in particular. Bunion pads can prevent irritation to the side of your foot, and applying ice will help reduce any swelling or pain. It can also help to massage the ball of your foot and gently manipulate your big toe joint in all directions.

At Houston Foot Specialists, Dr. Jeff Bowman is highly experienced in helping patients with bunion problems. Custom orthotic inserts are a proven way to support feet and prevent this problem from worsening. Call us at (713) 467-8886 and make an appointment today to find out how we can help you avoid surgery.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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What should I expect when undergoing foot surgery?

Surgery can be scary, but when it comes to your feet it may be necessary to prevent the loss of your mobility. Problems with your feet should always be taken seriously. You should remember that pain is never normal and may be a sign of a more serious issue. For these reasons daily foot care is important to prevent serious damage.

If you are experiencing severe foot problems and contemplating surgical treatment, there are a few things you should consider first:

• Hospital Time Commitment: Most foot and ankle surgeries take about an hour. However, in reconstructive surgeries to correct severe deformities it may take three to four hours. Some surgeries also require a hospital stay for up to four days. There are surgeries that allow discharge on the same day, but it depends on your specific circumstances. Hospital stays need to be discussed prior to scheduling your surgery.

• Recovery: Your recovery time can vary depending on your surgical procedure and severity of your injury. Most cases require patients to take off one to two weeks from work. However, if you are undergoing surgery on your right foot you will not be able to drive right away. Once you can wear regular shoes, and do not find discomfort when pressing on the pedals, is when you can drive.

• Pain: During surgery you will be sedated with anesthesia to eliminate pain. But you still need to expect some amount of pain following your procedure. Discomfort levels may vary, but you can reduce pain by icing and elevating the area. You may also be prescribed pain medication.

Surgery is considered in severe cases of chronic pain and limited mobility. If you are interested in foot surgery, you need to consult with Dr. Jeffrey Bowman.  He will determine if a surgical operation is right for you or if another treatment is suitable to your circumstances. You can call our office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowman. Also check out his blogs on what to do before surgery and after surgery.

References:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-should-i-expect-from-foot-surgery.htm
http://www.faant.com/library/9-common-questions-about-foot-surgery.cfm
http://www.anklefootmd.com/surgery-faqs.php

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Get Foot Surgery Out of Your Way!

If you love to put things off until the last possible minute, don’t worry, you are not alone! However, when it comes to your health putting off treatment can have serious consequences and can result in permanent damage. In regards to your feet, those consequences can be drastic even leading to the loss of mobility. That’s why you should pledge right here and right now to schedule your foot surgery if recommended before the end of the year!

The end of the year can be the best time to have surgery and here’s why…

• You’ll have time off. The end of the year is filled with paid holidays and extra vacation time you haven’t used. Plenty of companies shut down during the holiday or do not allow rollover on your vacation days. With all of this extra time off from work you will have plenty of time to have surgery and heal properly before returning to work.

• Insurance deductibles are low. At the end of the year you most likely have reached your deductible amount for the year. After the New Year the deductible will reset and you will have to pay more money out of pocket. Surgery is often put off due to cost, but if your deductibles are low the end of the year can be the best time to get your health on the right track.

• Sports season will break. If you are a member of an organized sports team, most activities have a break during the holiday season. This will give your feet more time to heal and even participate in physical therapy. You won’t have to let down your team by missing out on any games and you will be perfectly healthy for the new season.

Surgical operations can always be scary, but putting off surgery can be extremely damaging to the health of your feet. If you are suffering from a foot or ankle related injury that may require surgery contact our office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Bowman or visit his website at www.houstofootspecialists.com for explanations and videos of surgery.

References:

http://upstatefootcaresc.blogspot.com/2011/12/surgery-when-is-best-time-to-have-it.html
http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/testimonials.html

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Correcting Overlapping and Underlapping Toes

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Overlapping and underlapping toes are deformities seen when one or more of the toes lies on top of or underneath other toes. Other deformities such as bunions or hammertoes may be present at the same time, and bunions may actually cause toes to overlap. Pressure from the toe box often causes hard corns to develop. Also, soft corns and blisters are apt to develop where the toes rub on each other. The toes themselves generally do not hurt, but the corns and blisters can be very painful.

Overlapping toes usually affects the fifth toe and it can occur prior to birth. A process of stretching and taping can be done during infancy, but the deformity usually returns. There is a surgical procedure where the tendon at the base of the small toe is released allowing the toe to assume a more normal position. On occasion a pin may have to be placed to keep the toe in alignment.

Underlapping toes affect the fourth and fifth toe and are probably caused by unequal strength in muscles. If underlapping toes are present at birth it is called congenital curly toes. This deformity can be corrected surgically with a couple of different procedures depending on whether the toes remain flexible or are rigid. Your foot and ankle specialist can best determine the procedure necessary in your situation.

In order to provide comfort to the patient, the first step in treatment is to change to footwear that will allow room for the deformity. Dr. Bowman may recommend orthotics designed to straighten and space the toes correctly. If this conservative treatment is not successful, a surgical procedure to release the tendon will allow the toe to reposition.

A recap of some of the treatment options include:

• Wide deep shoes to avoid pressure on the deformity

• Corn and callus treatment

• Orthotics to space and align toes

• Surgical treatment

Children with flat feet and high arches distribute weight differently. The faulty biomechanics can cause the toes to assume an abnormal position. Adults can develop overlapping toes as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight and narrow in the toe area.

If you have a bunion watch for symptoms of overlapping toes and call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886. His expert ability to rearrange toe positioning can make your feet pretty again.

References:

http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/library/1907/OverlappingorUnderlappingToes.html
http://www.prlog.org/10352809-overlapping-and-underlapping-toes.html

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Hammering Those Toes Back Into Shape

Podiatrist in the operating room performing hammertoe correction surgery. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you want to have glamorous, well-functioning feet? If you said yes, then you have to get rid of those hammertoes. Hammertoe is a deformity that affects the second, third and fourth toe and bends them so they appear like a hammer. If caught and treated early, when the toes are still flexible, treatment is simple. However, if left untreated the toes become fixed and surgery is required.

Hammertoes may be the result of shoes that do not fit properly or perhaps a muscle problem that keeps the toes in a position of constant contraction. If the toes are left in the contracted position for prolonged periods of time, it is difficult for the muscles to straighten them. As the toes remain in the contracted position, calluses or corns may develop on the tops of the toes at the middle joint. The area then becomes red, raised, and sore making it difficult to find shoes that do not further irritate the condition.

You may wish to consult with Dr. Bowman if you notice your second, third and fourth toes are showing the following signs:

• Red and raised at the middle joint
• Developing corns or calluses on top or the tips of the toes
• Swollen
• Rubbing on the inside top of your shoes

In order to treat this deformity, you should opt for a softer shoe with a roomier toe box. Shoes must be one-half inch longer than your longest toe. For many people this is not the great toe that is often used in the pinch test, but rather the second toe. Preferably do not wear high heels or shoes that cramp or constrict your toes, as this aggravates the condition. A shoe repair shop may be able to stretch your shoe to more comfortably accommodate this deformity. There are also exercises that can be done at home that may help stretch and strengthen your muscles, or Dr. Bowman may suggest a simple strapping device that can be utilized as well as cushioning.  

If non-surgical methods fail to correct your hammertoes they can be surgically treated as an outpatient. Recovery time is normally short although the end result may have toes slightly longer or shorter than before. The exact surgical procedure will depend on the severity of your case. Call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886 for an appointment. He can evaluate you and discuss your options.

References:
 
http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/library/1870/Hammertoes.html
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00160

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