Bunions are one of the many things that can go wrong with our feet. They are most often caused by a handful of things. Among them are arthritis and wearing ill-fitting shoes. The good news is that our Edmonton podiatrists offer patients access to bunion treatments that may provide relief. With that said, here is a rundown on four common bunion treatments:

Bunion Treatment #1: Shoe Inserts/Orthotics

Custom shoe inserts and orthotic devices are just two bunion treatments that a podiatrist may recommend. In the majority of those instances, the patient attends a scheduled fitting first. Once all of the necessary measurements are taken, the inserts or orthotics are created to those exact specifications. Afterward, the patient returns to the podiatrist’s office for a final fitting. If no further adjustments are needed, the patient is able to leave the office with the shoe inserts or orthotics in hand.

Bunion Treatment #2: Taping/Padding

In some situations, our podiatrists may recommend that the patient try taping and padding the bunion first. There are several companies in operation today that manufacture products designed for such applications. So the patient may need to try out a few different combinations before finding the right one.

Bunion Treatment #3: Exercises and Lifestyle Changes

Depending on the condition of the bunion, the podiatrists’ list of suggestions may also include making lifestyle changes. Those lifestyle changes may include taking over-the-counter pain relievers and engaging in foot exercises. Examples of exercises that the podiatrist may order are toe extensors and toe adductors.

Bunion Treatment #4: Surgery

Lastly, in severe cases, podiatrists may suggest that patients undergo a surgical procedure to have the bunion removed called a bunionectomy. The surgical option, however, may not be best for everyone. It typically involves a lengthy recovery period, and during the recovery period, the patient may need assistance completing routine tasks. For more information about these Edmonton bunion treatment options and others, please contact our Edmonton foot & ankle clinic.