Bunion/Hallux Abducto Valgus

Do you have a bunion? Do you have pain that causes you to stop doing the activities you love to do? If your answer is yes, let’s talk about your options. 

A bunion, unfortunately, is not reversible via home treatments or braces because it is a bony deformity. The only thing that can fix a bunion is surgery.

But there is good news! Surgery is not the only option. You can control the pain and discomfort a bunion may cause with conservative treatment options and get back to doing the activities you love to do. 

Conservative Treatment Options

The goal of conservative treatment options is to help you:

  • Slow down the progression of your bunion
  • Control or diminish your pain or discomfort so that you can do the activities you love to do!

Potential conservative treatment options may include:

  • Orthotics to help control the biomechanical factors that are contributing to your bunion and shift excess pressure away from your bunion
  • A series of stretches to help maintain or increase your mobility and flexibility.
  • Changes in shoegear to accommodate the bunion
  • Using offloading devices to take pressure off of the bunion so that it is more comfortable in shoes and while walking. 

Surgical Treatment Options

Treating a bunion surgically depends on the severity of your bunion, the position of your bones and your lifestyle goals.

Surgical intervention may be offered for someone who has gone through the conservative treatment options and needs better pain relief, someone who is younger who has lower expected complications, and who may enjoy greater long-term benefits from early surgical intervention. 

Surgical treatment for bunions can vary depending on the position of the bones, and the shape and severity of the bunion as well as the goals and needs of the patient. 

Certain procedures include:

  • Removing the bunion “bump” and balancing the soft tissue around the joint.
  • Cutting and realigning the bones to shift them to their proper position.
  • Fusing the joint to relieve arthritic pain or pain caused by movement. 
  • Fusing the joint at the source of the deformity in order to realign the bones properly.

It is also important to note that in some cases corrective bunion surgery may not provide permanent results. If there are any known risks like this, we will discuss them with you. 

At Serenity Foot and Ankle Specialists, Dr. Ibrahim will speak to you about your goals in life and which treatment options would be best for you. Whether they are conservative or surgical, she will explain everything and be there to help you figure out the best treatment plan for you! 

The earlier you get your bunion evaluated, the earlier you can get back to doing the activities you love to do!

Schedule an appointment today by calling 847-380-3700.

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