Bunions are a tricky condition to treat. While there a variety of non-invasive ways to address toe pain, they are not always effective. When you have tried a variety of treatment options without pain relief, it may be time to start thinking about surgery.
Orthopaedic specialists typically start treating this kind of condition with options like medication and orthotics, custom designed shoe inserts that cushion the bunion and prevent it from being aggravated. Your doctor may also recommend that you avoid shoes that can hurt your feet, those with high heels or narrow shoes, and activities that put pressure on your big toe and foot.
Surgery for bunions usually isn’t done unless you have already tried other treatment options without success. It’s typically an option when a patient’s toe is too painful, the bunion is very big, or if the bunion is preventing a patient from doing daily activities.
There are more than one hundred surgical options for bunions, including bunionectomy, exostectomy, bone removal, bone fusions, and artificial joint implanting. Your surgeon will tailor your surgery to your condition and may use more than one procedure to help provide the necessary pain relief and support.
At Virginia Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists, Dr. Michael Andrew Caines specializes in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Caines is a fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who completed his fellowship in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He has professional memberships in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Caines contact us online today or call the office directly at 757.215.3789.