Posts for tag: Bunions
How bunion surgery from your podiatrists in New York City can help your feet
Bunions can hurt, and they can keep you from enjoying your daily activities. Fortunately, your foot doctor can help you and your feet feel better. The podiatrists at Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates in New York City offer comprehensive foot care services, including bunion surgery to heal your feet.
Bunions affect women more than men because women often wear shoes that are too narrow, crushing their toes. The big toe joint is forced outward and begins to rub against the inside of a shoe, irritating. The irritation turns into inflammation, and eventually, bone deformation, causing a bunion. In addition to wearing narrow shoes, a genetic bone deformity can also cause a bunion.
When a bunion forms, it looks like a hard, bony bump on the side of your big toe. Your podiatrist will take x-rays of your big toe, to determine the level of bone involvement, which will determine what type of bunion treatment you need.
For large bunions with bone involvement, surgery may be indicated to remove the bunion and realign your toe.
For smaller, less painful bunions, your podiatrist may recommend:
- Shaving the corns and calluses to reduce friction
- Stretching and physical therapy to maintain flexibility
- Custom-made orthotics or footwear to help maintain proper foot alignment
You can do a lot to prevent bunion formation by wearing supportive shoes with a lot of room for your toes.
You can also:
- Place ice on your bunion several times during the day
- Wear inserts or padding inside your shoes
- Tape the bunion and your foot to provide support
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to decrease pain and swelling
Bunions can dramatically change your lifestyle, keeping you from doing the activities you enjoy. Your podiatrist wants to help you and your feet enjoy good health, free from bunion pain. To find out more about bunion surgery and other foot care services, call the podiatrists of Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates in New York City at (212) 628-4444. Call today and help your feet!
Bunions are not just unattractive and unsightly, but depending on their size and the extent of joint damage they've caused, they can also .jpg)
be painful and affect everything from your ability to fit into your favorite shoes to participating in sports and physical activities. Fortunately, you don't have to live with bunion pain. Here at Kenneth R. Meisler, D.P.M., FACFAS, P.L.L.C. & Associates in Manhattan, your podiatrists offer solutions for both bunions as well as a number of other foot and ankle conditions. Read on to learn more!
More about Bunions and Bunion Symptoms
One of the most common podiatric problems today, bunions are acquired foot deformities that manifest themselves as bumps at the base of big toes. There are several factors that can increase an individual's risk of developing bunions, and while anyone can get a bunion at any age, they are more common in women and the risk tends to develop with age.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Bony protrusion/bump at the base of the big toe
- Big toe slants towards the other toes away from the joint
- Pain
- Tenderness/redness/swelling
- Corns and calluses from friction between the bunion and your shoes
- Limited movement/mobility issues (advanced joint damage can also increase your risk for arthritis)
- Your shoes feel tighter than normal or don't fit
What Causes Bunions?
There are a few things that can cause or increase the risk of bunions, some of which are preventable and others which are caused by factors like heredity or your foot type. Some other risk factors for developing bunions include:
- Wearing high heels and tight, narrow shoes that crowd the toes
- Spending a lot of time on your feet on an ongoing basis
- Underlying joint injury or arthritis
Bunion Treatment in Manhattan
Like many other foot and ankle problems, bunions can generally be treated conservatively at first depending on the size and severity. The treatment options for bunions include:
- Icing and pain relievers to relieve inflammation and discomfort
- Splints
- Arch supports or custom orthotics if you have flat feet or pronation
- Supportive shoes
- Splints and padding to align the joint and prevent chafing
Surgery to correct a bunion is rare, but is sometimes performed when conservative treatments are ineffective and there is extensive damage to the joint. You can also lower your risk of developing a bunion by wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, and discussing your risk factors with the podiatrist.
Find a Podiatrist in NYC
Whether you're a highly active individual and athlete, or you're just experiencing pain or having trouble fitting into your favorite shoes because of a bunion, we can help. Contact our Manhattan office today by calling (212) 628-4444 to schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists.
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Do I need bunion surgery? You may be able to relieve or reduce your pain and slow the progression of your bunions by avoiding high heels and tight shoes, taping your feet, or wearing night splints or orthotics to realign your feet. Although these measures can be helpful, they can't reverse bunions. Surgery offers the only way to remove the bunion and end your pain. Bunion surgery may be recommended if you have:
What happens during bunion surgery? Your New York City podiatrist will recommend bunion surgery based on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. Surgery generally involves removing the bump, improving the alignment of the bones in the joint and removing excess tissue. Repair of tendons and ligaments may also be necessary. Bunion surgery is usually performed on an out-patient basis. Would you like to find out if bunion surgery can help you? Call podiatrists at Kenneth R Meisler, DPM, & Associates in New York City, NY, at (212) 628-4444 to schedule your appointment. |
Is it about time you had bunion surgery? Although bunion pain can often be eased with other treatments, surgery may be the best option in some cases. The podiatrists at Kenneth R Meisler, DPM, & Associates in New York City, NY, provide a range of bunion treatments, including surgery.
What is a Bunion?
What Causes Bunions?
How a Podiatrist Can Help
Prevention is Key
Bunions rank high on the list of embarrassing foot problems. They can also create secondary foot problems, like hammertoes and 
calluses. You have many options for treating a case of bunions, but when all other methods fail, you and a podiatrist at Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates in New York City, NY, may have to consider bunion surgery.
Initial Bunion Treatment Options
Many patients can realign their toes by training the feet back in the correct position over a period of time. Implements a podiatrist may use to achieve this goal include splints, padding, wrapping tape or cloth, and orthotic devices. These usually help in the beginning stages of bunion formation, but when a bunion becomes fixed in its position, a surgical procedure might be the only thing that can get rid of the unsightly bump and toe crowding.
When Is Bunion Surgery Needed?
Your New York City podiatrist will take non-invasive steps to avoid surgery, but if they don’t help surgery may be required. Here are a few indications that a bunionectomy is the ideal solution:
- The bunion is very rigid and doesn’t move.
- The bunion is painful and makes walking a challenge.
- You can no longer comfortably wear shoes.
- There is a major toe deformity.
- Other treatments have produced only minor results.
Preparing for Bunion Surgery
Keep in mind that you may have to take time off of work for up to a couple of weeks after a bunionectomy, especially if you work on your feet or you’re an athlete. Your doctor will discuss sedation methods with you. The type of surgery will depend on the severity and shape of the bunion. Some of the bone may be removed so that the toe can be manually realigned and pinned in a better position. In some cases, the joint is fused so that the bones can heal properly over time.
Consult Your Podiatrist
Bunions can become a very serious foot condition without treatment. If non-invasive solutions haven’t realigned your feet yet, see a podiatrist at Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates in New York City, NY, to talk about bunion surgery. Call (212) 628-4444 today for an appointment.