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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Mallet Toes? What Are They and How Do You Treat Them?

Are you embarrassed about your bent and curled toes?
Toe conditions and disorders are extremely common. Sometimes they are mild and hardly noticeable but other times a person can endure significant pain and deformity. When this is the case, the foot cannot function as it should, making it difficult to wear shoes comfortably or even engage in simple daily tasks.

Mallet toe is a deformity caused by a bone and muscle imbalance. It is the joint nearest the toenail that is affected and results in the toe abnormally bending or curling down and causing a painful bone spur on top. If you have this deformity, here are a few common causes to help you understand how it could have developed:

• Wearing restrictive or improperly fitting footwear such as high heels

• Arthritis

• Trauma such as a bad stub or jamming your toe

• Nerve damage in the feet

• Shoes with a low toe-box

What can I do about this?
The first step is to call podiatrist Dr. Jeff Bowman as he brings relief to patients with mallet toe on a regular basis. Depending on the severity of your deformity, there are many treatment options to relieve your pain. Accommodative shoes, orthotics, gel toecaps and gel shields often provide the comfort patients need. If these do not work, a simple surgery is an option to release tendons in the toe to allow it to lie flat.

Don’t let a toe problem keep you from enjoying your favorite activities or shoes. Contact our office for the care and treatment your feet deserve. Make an appointment with Houston Foot Specialists today by calling (713) 467-8886.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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