Are you tired of the pain and discomfort caused by bunions? You’re not alone. Bunions, a common foot condition, affect millions of people every year. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options that can alleviate the pain and help restore your foot’s natural shape. At The Bunion Cure, we offer a revolutionary, minimally invasive treatment designed to provide relief from bunions without the long recovery time associated with traditional surgery.
What Is A Bunion?
A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms at the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when the bones in the front part of your foot shift out of place, causing the tip of your big toe to lean towards the second toe. This misalignment forces the joint at the base of the big toe to protrude, resulting in a painful, swollen bump.
Bunions can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Pain and tenderness around the affected joint.
- Redness and swelling on the side of the foot.
- Difficulty wearing shoes due to the pressure on the bunion.
- Stiffness and restricted movement in the big toe.
- Calluses or corns caused by overlapping toes.
While bunions can be linked to genetics, other factors like improper footwear, foot injuries, or conditions such as arthritis can contribute to their development.
Causes
Roughly 1 in 3 adults will experience a bunion at some point in their lives. Bunions can be caused by:
Improper or Ill-Fitting Footwear
Wearing shoes that are too small, high heels, or narrow footwear can lead to bunions by cramping your toes. Many doctors recommend choosing shoes with extra room to prevent toe cramping and complications like bunions, which can result from tight footwear. It’s also recommended to avoid high heels or overly tight and restrictive shoes for extended periods to prevent bunions, bunion treatment, and other potential complications.
Genetics
Though studies have found that bunions themselves are not hereditary, among the top cause of bunions is the natural shape of the foot, which is, in turn, caused by genetics. If your natural foot shape puts pressure on your big toe, you’re more likely to develop a bunion. Certain genetic factors can also contribute to the risk of bunions. For example, hypermobility is a genetic condition that can lead to bunion formation. A tight Achilles tendon is another genetic factor that increases the risk. While bunions themselves are not considered hereditary, various genetic conditions can increase your chances of developing them more than others.
Joint Conditions
Medical conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis that cause bone and joint pain can lead to further complications which include bunions. This often occurs because Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause one’s body to attack the lining of the big toe joint, causing ligamentous and joint instability. The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and bunions are very similar, so it can be difficult to diagnose a bunion in these patients without a proper doctor’s visit. If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis or similar bone and joint conditions, you are at a higher risk for bunions in comparison to those without pre-existing conditions.
Bunion Symptoms
Often, bunions are quite painful. In addition to pain, bunions also come with common symptoms that might include:
Bunion pain typically begins as mild discomfort but gets increasingly worse, especially when walking, standing, or wearing certain shoes, typically that are too narrow for your foot, for a long period of time. Although bunions are common and can be treated relatively easily with a proper diagnosis by a physician, they can cause intense pain in some cases, making it challenging for those affected to continue their regular daily activities. Bunion pain may also worsen at night, leading to difficulty sleeping due to severe discomfort. If left untreated, bunions can not only increase in pain but also raise the risk of further complications.
Self-diagnosing bunions can be tricky and is not reccomended. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to contact your doctor promptly to determine if you have a bunion and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Types of Bunion Treatment
Bunion pain can be managed or treated using special tools and home remedies, which may include:
While these solutions can help alleviate pain, they do not completely treat bunions at their source. Over-the-counter solutions and medications may offer short-term pain relief for bunions, but they do not address the underlying issue—the imbalance of ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your foot. External treatments like bunion pads or splints can temporarily realign your toe, but the only way to truly restore balance is by repositioning these ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and realigning the big toe joint. Therefore, despite claims from companies selling at-home bunion correctors, these products are not effective long-term treatments and only provide temporary pain relief, potentially leading to further complications.
Some doctors recommend physical therapy or the long-term use of a cast or splint to relieve bunion pain. However, most bunions require surgery to permanently alleviate the patient’s pain.
Bunion Surgery
The two main types of surgical procedures available for the removal and treatment of bunions are conventional surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
Undergoing conventional bunion surgery can cause an increased risk of various complications, such as long-term or permanent scarring, limited mobility after surgery, infection, and issues with bone healing, known as nonunion. Invasive surgeries such as traditional bunion removal can result in significant pain and prolonged healing difficulties, making it challenging for patients to return to normal activities even after the procedure is complete.
Today, minimally invasive surgery or MIS is widely considered to be a significantly better option when it comes to treating bunions and The Bunion Cure at Northwest Surgery Center offers a minimally invasive surgical procedure for bunions which is faster, safer, and cheaper than traditional surgery.
During a minimally invasive surgical procedure, patients are treated in state-of-the-art surgery suites equipped with the latest technologies. Under local anesthesia, a small incision is made in the foot, and a specially designed surgical instrument is inserted through this opening. The entire procedure is conducted through this tiny incision. At the end of the surgery, a small bandage is applied to protect the microsurgery area. The entire process, including pre-op preparation and post-op recovery, takes less than 90 minutes. Patients can drive themselves home after surgery and will need to wear a special postoperative shoe for about a week. Minimally invasive bunion surgery is an excellent option for those looking to relieve pain quickly and return to work, school, or other activities without the burden of a long and strenuous recovery period.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is just as safe and effective as conventional surgical procedures. It’s biggest safety concern is that minimally invasive bunion surgery utilizes advanced techniques that require sophisticated technology and intimate knowledge of the procedure. In other words, not every podiatrist or surgeon possess the skills or the tools needed to perform minimally invasive foot surgeries. In fact, fewer than 100 doctors regularly perform minimally invasive bunion surgery in the United States. As with any surgical procedure, poorly performed minimally invasive surgeries can result in nerve or muscle damage in the foot. Additionally, if surgeries do not address the root cause of the issue, such as a bunion, there is a risk of recurrence in the future.
For those considering minimally invasive surgery, it is crucial to find a qualified surgeon with extensive experience in minimally invasive foot surgeries. When performed correctly at a reputable institution like The Bunion Cure Surgery Center, minimally invasive foot surgery offers numerous advantages over traditional methods and is an excellent option for patients suffering from painful conditions like bunions.
The Bunion Cure at Northwest Surgery Center
Founded by Dr. Robert A. Nielsen, The Bunion Cure Surgery Center is a leader in minimally invasive foot surgery. Dr. Nielsen completed the first successful minimally invasive procedure in his office in the 1970s. Since then, thousands of successful surgeries have been performed, and NWSC became a certified Ambulatory Surgery Center in 1993. With over 30 years of experience, The Bunion Cure Surgery Center proudly offers minimally invasive bunion surgery that is faster, safer, and more cost-effective than conventional methods.
If you’ve been dealing with untreated foot pain, reach out to the experts at The Bunion Cure Surgery Center for help in diagnosing your condition and creating a treatment plan. Whether you’re suffering from bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, or another painful condition, our team of expert physicians is ready to help you find a treatment to restore your everyday life, free from pain. We offer minimally invasive surgical procedures for various conditions that can ease your pain and set you on the path to a smooth recovery in no time. With decades of experience in ambulatory surgical care, our team is prepared to alleviate your foot pain and help you reclaim your life.
At The Bunion Cure, our friendly staff and team of experienced professionals offer fast and effective treatment for your bunions and will have you walking out the front door pain-free in a matter of hours. Bunion surgery is the only permanent solution for addressing bunions at their source and relieving pain. With decades of experience in minimally invasive procedures, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our expert team members and develop a treatment plan to eliminate your bunion pain for good.