At Active Podiatry in Indianapolis and Crawfordsville, IN, Dr. Yong Chae cares for a common, acquired foot deformity. It's called a bunion, a bony bump protruding from the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. Conservative management often works, but for some highly impactful bunions, surgery is best. What's your situation?
How bunions develop
Age, excess body weight, tight shoes and inherited foot structure often precipitate bunions. Progressive and painful, a bunion actually twists the big toe toward the second and even third toe, causing gait imbalance, friction, redness, swelling and extreme tenderness.
Unfortunately, arthritis, bursitis, corns and calluses frequently accompany bunions. Left untreated, these bumps typically cause a more sedentary lifestyle and even stiffening of the toe joint itself, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Conservative management
At Active Podiatry, Dr. Chae visually inspects bunions and takes X-rays and other kinds of sophisticated imaging to determine how to treat them. Often, wearing shoes with low heels and wide toe boxes relieves pressure and halts progression and pain.
Rest helps, too, as can shoe inserts (customized orthotics), over the counter pain medications and moleskin padding. Keeping a healthy body weight reduces harmful pressure on the forefoot, too.
Bunion surgery can free you from pain
If you and your podiatrist have tried conservative management to avail, a bunionectomy surgery may be your best option. Dr. Chae's goal is pain reduction and normalizing of gait and balance.
Dr. Chaeo tailors the surgery to individual patient needs. In many cases, he removes the bony bump, straightens the joint and works on the associated tendons and ligaments as needed. Bandaging and crutches are common post-operative accommodations, and full recovery may involve several months of exercise and other therapies, says the AAOS.
Find out more about bunion surgery
Bunions are no joke. If you suspect your are developing one or have a bunion that is worsening, please contact Dr. Yong Chae for an in-depth consultation. Be pain-free, and maintain your mobility, too. Call one of our two locations. In Indianapolis, phone (317) 245-6223. For our Crawfordsville office, phone (765) 362-7200.