Foot Focus Podiatry

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Can a Podiatrist Get Rid of Bunions

Can a Podiatrist Get Rid of Bunions?

Bunions are one of the most common foot conditions, causing discomfort, pain, and difficulty finding suitable footwear. If you’re experiencing bunion symptoms, you might wonder, “Can a podiatrist at Foot Focus Podiatry help get rid of my bunions?”

At Foot Focus Podiatry, our podiatrists specialize in managing bunion discomfort through various treatment options designed to reduce pain and improve foot health. With proper care, we can significantly alleviate symptoms and, when necessary, recommend surgical consultation to correct bunions and enhance your quality of life.

In this blog, we’ll explore how our experienced podiatrists treat bunions, outline available treatment options, and guide you toward addressing your bunion concerns.

What is a Bunion?

bunion surgery

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe joint, causing the big toe to angle toward the other toes and creating a visible protrusion on the side of the foot. This misalignment can cause swelling, pain, and difficulty wearing shoes, making daily activities uncomfortable.

Bunions develop from several factors, including inherited foot structure, abnormal bone alignment, or prolonged pressure from ill-fitting footwear. While anyone can develop bunions, they’re more common in people with a family history or those who frequently wear narrow or tight shoes. If you’re experiencing symptoms, Foot Focus Podiatry offers effective treatments to help you find relief.

How Can a Podiatrist Treat Bunions?

When you visit Foot Focus Podiatry, we’ll conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the severity of your condition’s severity and determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Our primary goals are to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent bunion progression.

Here are the most common treatment options we offer to manage bunions:

  • Conservative Care: This includes appropriate footwear recommendations, custom orthotics to support your foot and redistribute pressure, and protective padding to reduce friction.
  • Medications and Injections: Over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications, as well as cortisone injections, to ease pain and swelling.
  • Physical Therapy: Hands-on therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, and sometimes ultrasound therapy/laser to reduce discomfort and improve joint function.
  • Surgical Intervention: If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, we may discuss surgical options to realign the toe and correct the deformity.

At Foot Focus Podiatry, we’ll work closely with you to develop a personalized plan that suits your lifestyle and treatment goals. If you have concerns about your bunion, reach out for expert guidance and support.Surgical Treatments for Bunions

When conservative treatments don’t provide relief or the bunion becomes severe, surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity and remove the bony prominence. Dr. Reza Naraghi offers various surgical options based on the bunion’s extent and severity.

  • Bunionectomy (Exostectomy): The most common procedure involves removing the bone prominence and repositioning the joint. This procedure is typically recommended for moderate bunions and can significantly reduce discomfort while improving foot function.
  • Osteotomy: For more severe cases, an osteotomy may be necessary. This procedure involves cutting and reshaping the toe bones to restore alignment. Pins or screws hold the bones in place during healing.
  • Arthrodesis: For severely damaged joints, arthrodesis (joint fusion) may be recommended. This procedure fuses the toe joint bones to relieve pain and prevent further misalignment.
  • Minimum Invasive Surgery: This option requires careful consideration. We’ll discuss the pros and cons in detail. These procedures use smaller incisions and offer shorter healing times, aiming to minimize scarring and pain while achieving results similar to conventional surgery.

Is Surgery the Best Option for Your Bunion?

While conservative treatments can manage discomfort and slow bunion progression, surgery often provides the most effective permanent correction. Our experienced podiatrists may recommend surgery to remove the bony prominence, realign the joint, and restore normal foot function. However, we typically reserve surgical intervention for severe cases or when non-surgical options haven’t provided adequate relief.

When Should You Schedule an Appointment with Foot Focus Podiatry?

If your bunion causes pain, discomfort, or interferes with daily activities, scheduling an appointment is an important first step. As foot health specialists, we can assess your bunion’s severity, recommend appropriate treatments, and help prevent further progression.

When you visit Foot Focus Podiatry, you can expect to:

  • Receive a thorough diagnosis and personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
  • Explore both non-surgical and surgical options, ensuring you have all the information for an informed decision.
  • Gain expert advice on footwear, orthotics, and lifestyle adjustments to manage your bunion.
  • Take proactive steps to protect your feet and prevent future complications.

Book Your Appointment with Foot Focus Podiatry Today

Don’t let a bunion hold you back from enjoying life. Whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or significant pain, our certified podiatrists can help improve your foot health. Schedule your appointment today to receive a personalized treatment plan and begin your journey toward pain-free feet. Visit our clinic to connect with a specialist who’ll support you every step of the way.

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  • Winograd procedure- This procedure will be done in hospital setting under local and or general anaesthesia and it is reserved upon failure of the phenolization or if there is significant amount of skin overlapping the nail with soft tissue growth. This procedure involves removing a portion of the skin along with the nail down to the level of the bone. Sutures (stitches) will be applied to close the surgical site. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes to be performed and your foot will be bandaged. You will be seen within first 5 days and then the sutures will be removed in 10-14 days. Currently this procedure can only be performed by Reza Naraghi (podiatric surgeon).  He will prescribe appropriate pain medication for your post-operative pain management. You will be in open sandal and or post op shoe for 2 weeks. This is not for everyone (especially if you don’t like seeing surgical procedures) but should you be keen to see a step by step process involved in a Winograd then please click here.
  • Zadik Procedure- This procedure is used with permanent total nail removal is desired. The indications for the procedure are significant ingrowing nail on both borders, thickened and painful nails and bony growth under the nailbed. This procedure can be done under local with sedation and or under general anaesthesia at a hospital and or day surgery centre. Sutures will be applied and will be removed 14 days post surgery. You can not get your foot wet and your foot will be in a sterile bandage for 2-3 weeks. You may need pain medication post surgery. On average it will take six weeks for your nail bed area to heal. Following that you can wear most close shoes.
  1. This procedure involves:
  • Removing the nail partially or totally and ablating (destroying) the root using a weak acid called phenol.
  • The phenol cause permanent ablation of the root of the offending nail and prevent ingrown nail recurrence.
  • The procedure is successful 95% of the time. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes to perform.
  • It can be done in our rooms using local anaesthesia with or without sedation.

2. Post operative care:

  • Soak your toe.
  • Apply a daily dressing.
  • Wear open toe shoes for at least 3-4 days.
  • You may be required to take oral antibiotics

3. Pain management:

  • Most patients do not require pain medication
  • If needed, Panadol is usually sufficient
  • You can return to regular shoes after one week
  • This procedure is not suitable for everyone, especially those uncomfortable with surgical procedure
  • For those interested in seeing a step-by-step process of a partial nail matrixectomy with phenolisation, click here.
  • Winograd procedure- This procedure will be done in hospital setting under local and or general anaesthesia and it is reserved upon failure of the phenolization or if there is significant amount of skin overlapping the nail with soft tissue growth. This procedure involves removing a portion of the skin along with the nail down to the level of the bone. Sutures (stitches) will be applied to close the surgical site. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes to be performed and your foot will be bandaged. You will be seen within first 5 days and then the sutures will be removed in 10-14 days. Currently this procedure can only be performed by Reza Naraghi (podiatric surgeon).  He will prescribe appropriate pain medication for your post-operative pain management. You will be in open sandal and or post op shoe for 2 weeks. This is not for everyone (especially if you don’t like seeing surgical procedures) but should you be keen to see a step by step process involved in a Winograd then please click here.
  • Zadik Procedure- This procedure is used with permanent total nail removal is desired. The indications for the procedure are significant ingrowing nail on both borders, thickened and painful nails and bony growth under the nailbed. This procedure can be done under local with sedation and or under general anaesthesia at a hospital and or day surgery centre. Sutures will be applied and will be removed 14 days post surgery. You can not get your foot wet and your foot will be in a sterile bandage for 2-3 weeks. You may need pain medication post surgery. On average it will take six weeks for your nail bed area to heal. Following that you can wear most close shoes.

Matrixectomy with phenolization – This procedure involves removing the nail partially or totally and ablating (destroying) the root using a weak acid called phenol. This will cause permanent ablation of the root of the offending nail and prevent ingrown nail recurrence. This procedure is successful 95% of the time. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes and can be performed in our rooms using local anaesthesia with or without sedation. Post operatively you will be required to soak your toe and apply a daily dressing. Wearing open toe shoes for at least 3-4 days is recommended. You maybe required to take oral antibiotics. Most patients do not require pain medication following the procedure, and if needed Panadol is sufficient for pain management. You can go back to regular shoes after one week.  This is not for everyone (especially if you don’t like seeing surgical procedures) but should you be keen to see a step by step process involved in a partial nail matrixectomy with phenolisation then please click here.