Bunions, those bony bumps that often form at the base of the big toe, can become an increasingly bothersome issue as we age. What might have been a minor inconvenience in younger years can evolve into a significant source of pain and mobility limitations for the elderly.
About Bunions
Bunions are bony bumps that form at the base of big toes. Approximately one-third of Americans have them.
Bunions happen when something puts extra pressure on the big toe and pushes it out of its natural alignment and toward the other toes. While not incapacitating, bunions, as we grow older, can become increasingly hindering.
Bunions and the Elderly
Foot conditions are prone to appear as individuals age. Among them, bunions are very common, and whereas they do not present such a brother in a younger age, they get increasingly painful and debilitating in our older years.
Bunion Care
As specialists, we always recommend consulting with your trusted healthcare provider when dealing with bunions. As an overview, our team has put together a list of possible ways to address bunions.
- Relieve pressure: wear the right kind of shoe. Wide, flexible soles support the foot, but leave enough room to accommodate the bunion. Good options:
- Sandals
- Sneakers
- Soft leather shoes
- Keep heels low (no higher than 1 inch).
- Maintain a healthy weight: In order to add to the relief on your foot, maintaining a healthy weight is essential.
- Protect the bunion with gel or moleskin pads, which you can find at drugstores.
- Wear semisoft inserts to help position the foot.
- For the pain, you may try:
- Warm soaks
- Ice packs
- Anti-inflammatory OTC drugs
- Massages
- Surgery
Read more: Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?
About Bunion Surgery in the Elderly
As people get older, things change, and that includes how bunion surgery is handled.
- Checking risks before surgery: Before operating, doctors carefully check older patients for things like blood clot risk, bone health, and other medical conditions like diabetes.
- Blood clot risk: Older people are more likely to get blood clots after foot surgery. Doctors might use medications to prevent this.
- Bone health: Making sure bones are healthy before surgery is important to avoid problems during and after the operation.
- Diabetes: If you have well-managed diabetes, you can likely have bunion surgery without extra problems.
- Different surgery options: In the past, older people often had simpler bunion surgeries. However, now there are better surgeries with cutting-edge technology that can fix the problem more fully and help people stay active.
Bunion Surgery in Phoenix, Arizona
At Prestige Medical Care, bunion surgery is performed with precision and personalized attention to help you walk comfortably again. Their experienced providers use advanced techniques to correct bunions, relieve pain, and restore natural foot alignment. From your initial consultation to post-surgical care, the team is committed to ensuring a smooth recovery and long-term results in a supportive, state-of-the-art environment.
If you have been dealing with a painful bunion, we encourage you to reach out to our expert team at Prestige Medical Care in Phoenix, Arizona.