Bunion Treatment Options: Conservative or Surgery

Bunions are among the most common toe deformities we see at our office – and frankly, our Massapequa bunion doctor wishes many patients came to see us about them a lot sooner.

In a bunion, the big toe slowly drifts out of alignment, toward its neighboring toes. At the same time, a prominent, bony bump develops.

This situation can cause plenty of pain, swelling, and friction-based conditions like calluses and swelling where toes rub up against the inside of your shoe or other toes. As the condition progresses, the toe itself can come increasingly stiff, and walking can become more painful or difficult.

When addressed by an experieneced bunion doctor in its earliest stages, it can be much easier to manage your bunion and slow its progression. Unfortunately, many people don’t come in for help until their condition has become more severe and rigid. That being said, there are still plenty of advanced treatment options available in our office before considering surgery.

It is never too early to see our Massapequa bunion doctor regarding a potential bunion or bunionette, nor is a long-time bunion a hopeless case. 

What Causes a Bunion?

Most cases of bunions are the result of a mix of hereditary and environmental factors. In other words, both your family history and what you do with your feet can play significant roles.

Many people are born with a greater likelihood that the joint at the base of the great toe (the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP joint) can become unstable.

However, instabilities can worsen accelerate the progression of a bunion due to biomechanics that place excess weight and force on the front of the foot. This can also occur by wearing shoes with tight toe boxes or high heels.

When you come to see our Massapequa bunion doctor in Nassau County, we will examine all the potential factors that may be contributing to it. By addressing these factors, we can help you find relief and manage the condition properly.

Conservative Bunion Treatment and Management

Not every bunion requires surgery.

In many cases, treatment can focus primarily on relieving the symptoms of a bunion and slowing or stopping its progression. Although the bump remains, it no longer has as major an impact on your life.

When conservative treatment methods can be achieved, a plan might involve:

• Switching to footwear with better support and more accommodations in the great toe area.
• Using custom molded orthotics that offload weight from the vulnerable joint and provide support in other needed areas.
• Taping or splinting the toe to provide support.
• Engaging in simple stretches or exercises to maintain joint flexibility and strength.
• Implementing LASER therapy with our experienced bunion doctor.
• Prescribing over-the-counter medications for pain management.

However, in more severe cases or those that don’t respond well to conservative treatment, bunion surgery may then become a consideration.

Types of Bunion Surgery We Offer

There are multiple ways to address a bunion through surgery. Whichever procedure our buinion doctor recommends will greatly depend on the circumstances around your bunion, as well as additional factors including your age, general health, activity levels, and more.

Surgical procedures can involve, but are not limited to:

• Repairing ligaments and tendons surrounding the unstable joint.
• Removing the bump itself (exostectomy).
• Cutting and realigning the bones of the toe (osteotomy) and holding them in place with screws, or plates.
• Removing arthritic joint surfaces (arthrodesis).

As with any surgery, post-operative care and rehabilitation are paramount to a successful recovery. We may also provide additional treatment such as K-Laser therapy to accelerate post-operative healing.

We will be sure to explain any instructions thoroughly and let you know what to expect before, during, and after a procedure. Never hesitate to ask us any questions.

When to See a Bunion Doctor

Dr. Justin LoBello and Dr. Corey Fox have helped hundreds of patients overcome their bunion pain using both conservative and surgical techniques. We’re here to help you, too!