Meeting & Treating Bunions

What are bunions? A bunion is an enlarged, bony bump that forms at the base of the joint of the big toe.

Bunions usually develop over time when the big toe presses against the second toe, forcing the second toe's bones out of alignment. Women of all ages and many older men are more likely to develop bunions than younger people. Because of their own sturdy foot structure some lucky people never develop bunions or other foot problems as they age. Most podiatrists agree bunions are a part aging. Wearing poorly fitting shoes does not cause bunions although poorly fitting shoes can make bunions worse.

BUNION SYMPTOMS

Bunions start to form when the big toe is squeezed up against the other toes, causing a lump on the outside of the joint – the beginning of the bunion. The joint stiffens and becomes painful to move. Some older adults try to treat their foot pain themselves by changing shoes or using shoe inserts to cushion the bunion. Although these home remedies may work for awhile, if your parent continues to complain about painful feet suggest that she ask her primary care doctor for a referral to a podiatrist.

INTRODUCING THE PODIATRIST

Your parent's primary care physician will refer your parent to a podiatrist for additional evaluations and treatment for bunions. Podiatrists have a degree in podiatric medicine and are trained to care for the foot, ankle and lower leg. They are qualified to examine patients, prescribe and administer medications, take x-rays, and perform surgical procedures.

BUNION SURGERY

After examining your parent's feet the podiatrist may decide that surgery to remove the bunion to relieve pain is the best choice for him. The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient and your relative will be able to go home soon after the anesthetic wears off. If she has bunions on both feet each one will be removed in separate procedures.

Your parent will be given medications to relieve pain and keep him comfortable when he goes home. Hospital staff will provide you with written information about the procedure, instructions for administering pain medications, tips for managing daily activities, and when to call the doctor.

LIFE WITHOUT BUNIONS

It will take some time for your older family member to fully recover from bunion surgery. Because of the dressing on his foot he will have trouble getting to the bathroom, changing clothes, and will need to take a sponge bath instead of a shower.

While your parent is recuperating you can watch daytime TV together, play gin rummy, and decide what you both would like for dinner. Suggest that friends and other family members shower him or her with funny get-well cards. And once the dressing comes off you can both go shopping for new shoes!