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Say Bye to Bunions With Proper Treatment

Aug 10, 2017
Say Bye to Bunions With Proper Treatment
Bunions form on the toes and are very unsightly! Our podiatrist, Dr. Joel S. Segalman, at the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, treats a variety of foot and ankle health conditions including bunions!

Bunions form on the toes and are very unsightly! Our podiatrist, Dr. Joel S. Segalman, at the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, treats a variety of foot and ankle health conditions including bunions! Visit Dr. Segalman at our Waterbury & Newtown, Connecticut locations. Dr. Segalman previously worked with the New York Knicks and currently works with a professional soccer team. His experience with bunions in the professional sports world gives him a unique edge with regards to treatment.

Bunions are skeletal bumps that form on the joint at the bottom of your big toe. They form because of the pressure exerted when your big toe pushes against the adjacent toe. This causes your big toe joint to get larger and protrude outwards. Generally, the skin covering a bunion will be red. Wearing close-fitting, slender shoes may agitate them, and designer shoes with narrow toe boxes can push big toes inward. Raised heels can also cause bunions because the big toe stays bent and budding toward the adjacent toe, causing the lower bones to push out. Bunions can also be genetic or the result of a medical condition such as arthritis.

Natural bunion treatment may involve toe spacers that can help restore toes to the normal position. If natural treatments cannot stop the formation of large bunions, surgery can help position the toe back to the location it was in before the bunion formed. After surgery, arch supports and cushioned shoes are used to help with recovery. Surgery generally includes the following:

●Realigning the metatarsophalangeal joint at the bottom of the big toe. The tendons around the big toe are thereafter repaired.

●Alleviating pain.

●Correcting malformation of the toes and foot.

Recovery can take a few months to a year. Adequate dressing of the surgical site and medication will help to speed up recovery. Physical therapy may be required post-surgery for severe situations. Tight fitting shoes should also be avoided after surgery for maximum recovery.

The earlier bunions are treated, the less likely surgery is required. However, if you have bunions that are significantly reducing foot motion and causing pain, don’t hesitate to contact our office for an appointment as soon as possible and we will determine the best course of treatment specifically tailored for your feet!