How to Relieve Those Painful Bunions

Hallux valgus, more commonly known as bunions form when the bone at the joint of the big toe moves out of place.  As pressure on the joint increases over time, the big toe will be forced towards the rest of your toes, creating a large and painful lump at the joint of the toe.  

Bunions can cause severe pain, and the worse they become, the more difficult it can be to wear shoes or even walk.

1. Soak Your Feet to Relieve Pain

After a long day on your feet you might be tempted to take a hot bath or to soak your feet, this can be even more beneficial if you’re dealing with bunions.  

You can help to relieve bunion pain by giving your feet a warm or cool soak in your bath tub or in a foot spa if you have one.  Before stepping in, add a couple tablespoons of epsom salt, then fill the tub with water up to ankle level.  Allow your feet to soak for 10-15 minutes to help to relieve pain.

2. Stretch Your Big Toe

Since bunions have a major impact on your big toe, it’s extremely important that you take time to stretch the big toe to provide some pain relief.  Stretching your toe, just like any other part of your body, is a great way to relieve sore joints and muscles.  

Using your fingers, gently pull the big toe back into it’s normal position, hold the stretch for 10-15 seconds and repeat 2 to 3 times to provide some temporary relief.

3. Consider Purchasing a New Pair of Shoes

The shoes you wear can have a major impact on your entire body, but are especially important for your feet if you’re dealing with bunions.  As bunions get worse, it’s important to consider switching to a wider shoe to accommodate for the changes in your foot that occur.  

As your feet change, you shoes should change with them.  These days, you’re not going to be limited to orthopedic shoes, as there are plenty of varieties available from dress to casual with a wide toe area to accommodate for bunions.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall well being, but it can help to relieve pain on bunions as well.  As we all know, our feet do a lot of work to support us throughout the day, so any extra weight increases the amount of stress we place on our feet while standing and walking.  

Maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce this stress and provide gradual relief over time.

5. Use a Topical Analgesic

While not always the most effective or long term form of relief, topical pain relief gels can offer temporary relief from bunion pain.  

Depending on the ingredients, some gels or creams can provide a cooling relief or even temporarily block pain signals to the area they’re applied to.  These can be found at just about any drug store and are relatively inexpensive.

Tired of dealing with bunion pain? let us help! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Warner today!

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People who live with diabetes are prone to foot problems that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Most of their problems are caused by nerve damage and poor circulation, which are symptoms related to diabetes. 

These two problems combined can lead to small blisters or wounds developing serious infections in just a few days. Dry and cracked skin is common in patients with diabetes and without treatment bacteria can enter and infection can develop.

Constant monitoring and serious foot care is required for all diabetics. You can learn more about diabetic foot care by watching this short video by Dr. Kyle Lindow, podiatrist and our clinic’s diabetic foot care expert:

Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters

People who live with diabetes are prone to foot problems that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Most of their problems are caused by nerve damage and poor circulation, which are symptoms related to diabetes. 

These two problems combined can lead to small blisters or wounds developing serious infections in just a few days. 

Dry and cracked skin is common in patients with diabetes and without treatment bacteria can enter and infection can develop. Constant monitoring and serious foot care is required for all diabetics.

Proper Foot Care for Diabetics

• Wash both your feet everyday and carefully dry them to ensure you don’t create any cracks or cuts. After washing rub the feet with lotion to keep them soft and moist. Ask your doctor for recommendations regarding moisturizing applications.

• Never walk barefoot because its easy to damage the feet with decreased nerve sensitivity. Wear shoes, slippers or socks when you walk around your home or outside. It is best to wear slippers or shoes designed with diabetics in mind, such as Dr. Comfort brand.

• Keep the feet warm and avoid getting them wet. Occasionally those with diabetics do not sweat properly and it is necessary to change shocks during the day.

• Refrain from smoking because it damages the blood vessels. The body will be less capable of delivering oxygen to your feet. Smoking is known to further inhibit healing.

• Inspect your feet daily and look for swelling, wounds, bruising, redness, blisters, scratches and cuts. Using a facial mirror placed on the floor is a simple method to allow self-inspection of the sole of the foot.

• Wear shoes with a proper fit and only buy shoes in the afternoon when your feet are larger so you can get the best fit. Diabetic shoes are the best.

• After long walks inspect your feet for any pressure, swelling, ulcers or damage. Inspect your feet after work as well.

• Wear custom orthotics prescribed by a foot and ankle surgeon to decrease the pressure placed on your feet as you walk. Orthotics can be transferred from shoe to shoe so wear them as often as possible. The design of the orthotics should distribute your weight evenly and eliminate any pressure points.
  
  

Dr. Kyle Lindow is our resident expert on podiatric conditions and diabetic foot care. 

Make your appointment with Dr. Lindow today!

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Yoga has been around for about 5000 years and is one of the most effective ways to treat musculoskeletal pain and problems that I have found to date. There’s an abundant amount of research that makes yoga a valid treatment plan. 

It seems odd that a Western medicine physician such as myself would be recommending something that’s a little bit more Eastern, but yoga really works.

In fact, the United States Military has actually instituted a yoga program for its soldiers in order to help with weight loss, improve strength, improve endurance, and improve flexibility. 

The National Institutes of Health have commissioned multiple studies that prove how yoga helps in chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and in multiple musculoskeletal problems such as chronic neck and back pain, or even acute muscle tears, or acute shoulder injuries from sports injuries.

Yoga At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness

 Warner Orthopedics & Wellness has partnered with Peyton Fisher Yoga Company to create a variety of medical programs depending on your diagnosis and your abilities to allow each of our patients to use yoga to improve their lives. 

You can become stronger, you can become have more endurance, you can sleep better, and you can use fewer pain medications.

With yoga, you can do more just by increasing your flexibility and strength with a time tested method.

LEARN MORE

To practice yoga, you don’t have to be a contortionist, you can start in a chair, you can even start sitting on the side of the side. Yoga really does work for musculoskeletal pain and problems. To learn more about yoga, attend our first workshop on Saturday, June 12th!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.

She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.

At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:

• Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
• Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
• Fill the gaps in our daily diets
• Manage pain associated with inflammation

SHOP OUR FULL LINE OF WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTS

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Amputation is a leading concern for doctors and patients in Louisiana who live with diabetes. In our state diabetes cost Louisianians about $5.4 billion a year and a huge chunk of that cost goes towards amputation fees, with the average procedure costing about $70,000.

Louisiana leads the nation in diabetic amputation and Dr. Meredith Warner is looking to change that. Dr. Warner was recently featured on WAFB Healthline and discussed why it was important to her to educate the Baton Rouge community about diabetic amputation at the upcoming Charcot Conference. WAFB’s full feature on Dr. Warner’s efforts can be read below.

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) – A Baton Rouge doctor is on a mission to lower the amputation rate for diabetics in Louisiana. Orthopedic surgeon Meredith Warner, M.D. thinks better coordination of care between doctors could save limbs and money, and she’s sharing that message with her colleagues.

“I cannot wait until I can go back and dance,” Wanda Alleman said while thumbing through old pictures.

The 55-year-old mother and grandmother are too busy to be slowed down by a condition called Charcot foot.

“It is kind of scary to know there’s a possibility you could lose your foot,” she said.

Charcot is a common complication of diabetes. Nerve damage leaves the patient without feeling in the foot, which makes injury more likely. Over time the foot becomes painfully deformed.

Many doctors lean toward amputation, but Warner thinks that decision is often premature.

“The ultimate goal is to save a limb that can be used,” she said.

In 2012, Louisiana had the second highest rate of people who die from diabetes complications. Amputation increases that risk. Warner wants doctors to work together to catch and treat complications sooner.

“If you can control diabetes to begin with, that would be great, but short of that if you can control the symptoms, it would help the state’s budget.” Warner explained.

“The state would save a lot of money, which could then be applied to things like nutritional counseling and weight loss to prevent diabetes, to begin with.”

But salvaging the limb is not easy. Alleman’s foot had to be surgically reconstructed, and her journey will be a long one.

“You have to make sure they have help at home. Do they have all the things they need like a wheelchair, getting here and there, and that’s a huge part of it. You have to coordinate every aspect of their lives,” Warner said.

Alleman will have to check in with Dr. Warner for the rest of her life. She sometimes has to wear a special boot or other types of orthopedic shoe. It may be an inconvenience, but she said she’s happy to still have the chance to enjoy life without a prosthesis.

“That’s what keeps me going. God and thinking about how there are other people worse,” she said.

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Which Surgery is Right for You?

Damaged cartilage and bone is removed from the surface of the knee during any knee replacement. Minimally invasive knee replacement can be effective for certain patient but requires a smaller incision than traditional knee replacement, and fewer muscles are cut. The goal of any knee replacement surgery is to help the patient live pain free and return to their daily activities.

Traditional Knee Replacement

During a traditional knee replacement the surgeon will make an eight to ten inch vertical incision over the front of the knee. Once the joint is exposed the damaged cartilage surfaces from the femur and tibia are removed. The cartilage and bone is then replaced with metal components. The undersurface of the patella is shaved and resurfaced with a plastic button. A plastic spacer is placed between the metal components to create a smooth surface.

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement is similar but the tissue surrounding the knee isn’t cut nearly as much. A shorter incision is required, meaning there is less tissue disturbance. The technique used to open the knee joint itself is also less invasive. The techniques used in minimally invasive knee replacements are quadriceps sparing, so less trauma is placed on the quadriceps and the muscles in front of the thigh. Since there is less disruption to the muscle there is less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery time.

Who Should Have Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacements

A doctor will conduct a evaluation to consider whether or not a patient is suitable for minimally invasive knee replacement. Most candidates are thinner, younger, healthier and more capable of participating in the rehabilitation process. People who have already had knee surgeries or are overweight are less suitable for this procedure. Also those with extreme deformities to the knee and health problems that slow wound healing may be more vulnerable to complications, and typically aren’t considered for minimally invasive knee replacements.

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What is Arthroscopy?

The surgical instruments used in arthroscopy are smaller than traditional instruments, and enable surgeons to view a joint area on a video monitor, and diagnose and repair torn joint tissue such as ligaments and menisci or cartilage within the joint.

Most commonly performed as an outpatient procedure, arthroscopy can be used to examine and treat almost every joint in the body. Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common procedures performed in the U.S.

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopy:

• Is usually less painful
• Is usually less costly (However, this is variable)
• Usually allows for a quicker recovery time
• Can be done on an outpatient basis without requiring an overnight stay in a hospital
• Has smaller scars

What is Arthroscopy Commonly Used For?

Arthroscopy can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of many non-inflammatory, inflammatory, and infectious types of arthritis, as well as various joint injuries to the knees, hips, wrist, ankles, feet, spine, shoulders and elbows including:

• Cartilage tears or damage
• Ligament strains and tears
• Cartilage deterioration
• Loose cartilage

The need for only very small incisions reduces recovery time and may increase the rate of success due to less trauma to the joint’s connective tissue. There is also less scarring, because of the smaller incisions. This procedure is especially useful for professional athletes, who frequently injure knee joints and require fast healing times.

What Should Patients Expect from Arthroscopic Surgery?

Orthopedic surgeons perform arthroscopy in an outpatient setting using general, spinal, regional, or local anesthetic. Patients can usually return home on the same day the procedure is completed.

The technique of arthroscopy involves inserting the arthroscope, a small tube that contains optical fibers and lenses, through tiny incisions in the skin into the joint to be examined. The incisions are approximately ¼ inch, on either side of the joint. The arthroscope is connected to a video camera and the interior of the joint is seen on a television monitor. The size of the arthroscope varies with the size of the joint being examined.

After arthroscopy there will be swelling around the joint, which can take 7–15 days to completely settle. It is important to wait until there is no swelling before doing any serious exercise or extensive walking, because the joint may not be fully stable; extensive exercise may cause pain and in some cases cause the knee to swell more. Often, the surgeon will reccomend guided therapy postoperatively in order to allow the patient to safely regain function.

To learn more about arthroscopy or request a consultation with Warner Orthopedics and Wellness, a Baton Rouge orthopedic surgeon’s office, please contact us at 225-754-8888.

Image courtesy of  stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dr. Meredith Warner is a board certified, Fellowship Trained Foot and Ankle, Orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Warner is committed to offering her patients an accurate diagnosis along with a comprehensive treatment plan in order to get them back to a pain free life. Dr. Meredith Warner specializes in the treatment of orthopedic issues, providing operative and non-operative treatment plans of orthopedic problems, including musculoskeletal pain such as chronic back, neck and foot pain, reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle, arthritis, diabetic, hammer toe, bunion, wound care, work injuries, fitness and nutrition and osteoporosis issues.

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You may have been told by a doctor that you have arthritis. You may have figured this out for yourself too! Either way, you likely have pain, swelling, instability and stiffness (together) and difficulty with your normal activities because of the ankle. Arthritis tends to hurt more with changes in the weather and the ankle is often stiff in the mornings. You have tried over-the-counter medications and bracing but still have significant difficulties with the ankle. It is likely that you had a serious sprain or multiple sprains in the past; or you had a break (fracture) of the ankle. Most cases of ankle arthritis are due to prior trauma actually (about 80%). If indeed you have significant arthritis of the ankle that is symptomatic enough to change your lifestyle, you may benefit from an ankle replacement.

You Do Not Want a Fusion of the Ankle

If you have been diagnosed with ankle arthritis, perhaps your doctor recommended a fusion (arthrodesis) of the ankle. This is a surgery whereby the cartilage that remains in the ankle is scraped off and the two bones of the ankle (tibia and talus) are connected to each other with metal plates and/or screws. Although this has been the mainstay for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis since the 1950s it is very limiting for two reasons. First, a fusion eliminates all ankle motion. Secondly, an ankle fusion puts a great deal of stress and strain on the other joints of the foot and then these become arthritic quicker and the pain simply shifts to different joints over time. If you are active and like to wear different types of shoes a fusion is likely not the best procedure for you. Many surgeons and doctors still believe that this is the only option for truly bad ankle arthritis, but technology has improved and surgical methods have become innovative and that is not, in fact, the only alternative available to you. A total ankle arthroplasty (replacement) is a great option in many cases.

You Want to Stay Active and Keep Your Ankle Motion

An ankle replacement surgery is similar in nature to a knee or hip replacement. Only the joint surfaces are replaced. Technology available today allows for customized instrumentation during surgery to ensure the fit and accuracy of the implant chosen for your ankle. This means the ankle replacement fits better and has a much better chance of lasting a very long time. The surgeon will essentially “resurface” your joint with smooth metal and plastic. This allows for you to maintain ankle motion for walking and such, while at the same time the pain from the arthritis is treated. Certain activities require a good deal of motion at the ankle and a fusion would not allow that. An ankle replacement can treat the arthritis but allow for more motion. Another benefit of a replacement over a fusion is that the remaining joints of the foot are protected from undue stress and strain with a replacement. This means the overall health of the foot is protected for longer if you have a total ankle replacement as opposed to a fusion.

If you have serious and painful ankle arthritis but are looking for an alternative to a fusion of the ankle, please call Warner Orthopedics and Wellness. Dr. Meredith Warner is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in complex foot and ankle surgery. She is one of the few surgeons in the State of Louisiana qualified, certified and permitted to perform total ankle arthroplasty surgery.

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Although the lumpy appearance is the telltale characteristic of a bunion, there are other conditions that can mimic a bunion, including a fracture, arthritis or other inflammation. But there are several risk factors that make it more likely that the lump you’re seeing is, indeed, a bunion:

• Genetics. There is evidence that people whose family members have bunions may also be more likely to develop them. One recent study found people of European descent are more likely to develop a bunion than people from other areas of the world. What’s more, hereditary disorders like Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Down syndrome are also associated with an increased risk of bunion formation. These are conditions that increase laxity in the supportive soft tissues of the foot. Loose supporting tissues allow a joint to deform more easily.
• Gender. Although both men and women can have a bunion, the condition tends to be seen more often in women, for unknown reasons. However, it may also be that women simply present to physician’s with this complaint more than men do.
• Abnormal walking mechanics. If you have low arches or “flat feet,” or if you roll your foot while walking or running, you’re more likely to develop a bunion, compared to someone who has “normal” arches or keeps the foot level when walking. The good news is, there are plenty of products like inserts and special footwear to help correct these problems and avoid development of a bunion. Having your feet and gait analyzed are important, especially if your family has a history of bunion formation. People with high arches do get bunions as well. It is possible that those with flatter feet may simply have looser joints in the foot as well; this contributes to the deformity.
• Ill-fitting footwear. Narrow shoes, high heels and shoes with narrow toes can all contribute to the symptoms of a bunion by increasing the pressure over the big toe joint. Avoiding shoes with tight toe areas and avoiding or limiting the use of high heels can help prevent a bunion from causing pain. It is likely that bunions are genetic and not actually caused by such shoes. Nonetheless, if a shoe places pressure on a bunion and that increases the pain, this shoe should be avoided until the bunion is corrected.
• Joint disorders. People with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis are also more likely to develop a bunion. Care should be taken not to assume toe pain is strictly attributable to arthritis; many people find their “arthritis” discomfort is remedied after diagnosis and correction of a bunion. An arthritic toe joint may be enlarged and deformed and confused as a true bunion. The treatment of a bunion in in the setting of any type of arthritis is more complicated and the underlying cause of the arthritis must be considered.
• Job or lifestyle factors. People whose jobs require extended periods of standing, such as factory workers or teachers, may also be more likely to develop pain from a bunion. Ballet dancers and soccer players place considerable stress on their toes and foot joints, and runners and other athletes who wear improperly-fitted footwear also tend to develop a more painful bunion than those whose occupations are less stressful to the feet. Again, it is not that the job or exercise is causing the bunion, rather that it is simply making it hurt more.

The bottom line is this: Whether you have any of these risk factors or not, if you suspect you have a bunion, you should have your foot evaluated as soon as possible so the condition can be treated. Don’t be tempted to treat a bunion yourself; home remedies can wind up making a bunion much worse. Plus, having your foot evaluated can help ensure that what you’re dealing with is a bunion and not some other condition that causes symptoms similar to a bunion. Many bunions are progressive and will increase in size over time.

Sources
http://www.acfaom.org/information-for-patients/common-conditions/bunions
http://www.webmd.com/news/20130520/many-can-blame-family-for-their-bunions

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