Foot discomfort impacts your well-being with every step you take. If you have a painful deformity called a bunion, your friends at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland can help. Drs. Marc Goldberg, Michael Frank, and Adam Lowy are your bunion experts in the Kensington, Olney, Camp Springs-Clinton and Silver Spring, MD.
Bunions hurt
A bunion is an acquired deformity located on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. This bony lump forces the big toe out of alignment, moving it inward toward the second toe. Over time, the big toe may even cross over the second and third toes.
Proper examination and an X-ray screening at one of our offices in Kensington, Olney, Camp Springs-Clinton, or Silver Spring, MD, diagnose bunions and allow your podiatrist to set a treatment plan customized to your foot structure, health history, and lifestyle. Fortunately, many bunions respond to conservative treatments. However, sometimes a bunionectomy, a surgery which removes the excess bone and straightens the big toe, is needed to optimize functionality.
Can bunions be prevented?
Harvard Health says you likely cannot prevent bunions as they tend to run in families. In other words, there is a hereditary component to this common foot problem. However, women, in particular, can minimize the severity of bunions by wearing simple shoes (i.e. no footwear that is narrow-toed or high-heeled). Additionally, you should keep a healthy weight.
Treating bunions
If you are on your feet a lot, try to schedule periods of rest. Ice the bunion, and elevate the foot. Your foot doctor at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland also may advise:
- Corn and callus removal
- Custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics) to correct problems with your gait
- Moleskin padding or gel-pads to reduce friction
- Analgesics
- Cortisone injections
- Stretching exercises and other physical therapy
- Massage
Don't ignore the pain
Learn how to take care of your bunions. Phone Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland for a consultation with Dr. Goldberg, Dr. Frank or Dr. Lowy today. We have four locations to serve you. For Olney, phone (301) 924-5044. In the Camp Springs-Clinton area, call (301) 868-7670. For Silver Spring, contact us at (301) 439-0300, or call us in Kensington at (301) 868-7670.