Bunions, when left untreated, will most likely continue to grow and get worse, further causing you pain and interfering with your ability to enjoy life. As soon as you notice that a bunion is beginning to develop on your foot, you should see a podiatrist. Treating bunions in Asheville, NC is a common condition that Dr. Daniel Waldman of Blue Ridge Foot Centers sees.
What is a bunion?
A bunion, known medically as hallux valgus, is a bony protrusion that is located on the inside of your foot, at the junction where the big toe meets the rest of the foot. They range in severity from a mild nuisance to a condition that causes you severe pain. Sometimes, with the late-stage progression of a bunion, your big toe may be displaced and lay on top of your second toe. This is due to abnormal growth of the toe joint causing a mechanical disruption to the structure of the big toe joint. This is known as crossover toe.
Bunions are generally easy to diagnose due to the physical abnormality of the foot. But, a proper diagnosis from a podiatrist is vital. This may involve the order of x-rays, MRIs, or other imaging techniques to make sure that all bones and soft tissues have not been compromised.
What can happen if a bunion is left untreated?
Addressing bunions ASAP is critical. If you don't, it will continue to grow and get bigger. You want to stop it in its tracks, and prevent it from worsening. Often, people wait to seek treatment for a bunion until the only option for treatment is corrective surgery. But there are a few things that you can do in an attempt to not allow your bunion to progress to this point. The goal is to reduce pressure on the toe joint.
Friction on the bone will stimulate it, leading to continued growth. Some measures that you can take that Dr. Waldman recommends for the management of bunions in Asheville, NC are:
- Wearing proper-fitting shoes. Avoid high heels and pointy-toed shoes which put excessive pressure on the toes
- Shoes should be roomy in the front, allowing ample space for your toes.
- Getting custom orthotics for your shoes
- Shop for new shoes in the evening and have your feet measured each time you go shoe shopping. Your feet will swell and be a slightly larger size in the evening, so any shoe that you buy needs to comfortably accommodate this. Also, as we age, our arches tend to fall and our feet become flatter. So, you may need to go up in the size of shoe that you have been wearing all your life.
Contact us
Seek consultation with our podiatrist, Dr. Waldman of Blue Ridge Foot Centers regarding guidance on the best path forward for treating bunions in Asheville, NC by calling (828) 254-5371. You can also visit his website at https://www.blueridgefoot.com. Dr. Waldman is board-certified and also teaches surgery nationally and internationally, including the latest developments in the minimal incision.