If you’re dealing with a bunion then you know that this pain is no joke. If you’re dealing with a throbbing, aching pain at the base of your big toe then you could very well be dealing with a bunion. This problem, a common complaint among women, usually develops gradually over many years so many people don’t even realize that they have a bunion until symptoms start to appear. While a bunion will not go away without surgery, the good news is that a podiatrist is usually all you need to manage your symptoms without resorting to surgery. Here are some ways to effectively manage your bunions:

• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help with pain and swelling
• Ice the bunion for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day to also alleviate pain and swelling (conversely, you may choose to soak your bunion in warm water to ease symptoms)
• Consider getting prescription orthotics (shoe inserts) to place within your shoes to take the pressure off the deformed joint and to reduce pain with walking or standing
• Wear a night splint, which will straighten out the big toe while you sleep to reduce morning pain and stiffness
• Only wear shoes that have a wide toe box that doesn’t put pressure on the bunion. Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes.
• Perform stretching exercises every day to alleviate stiffness and to improve mobility and range of motion within the feet
• Apply a non-medicated pad over the bunion before putting on shoes to prevent friction and the formation of a callus

Don’t let heel pain be the boss of you.

Heel pain can be a real nuisance. You thought you were going to take a beautiful hike around Colorado Springs, but your foot had different plans. Heel pain is one of the most common symptoms that bring people into the podiatric practice of Dr. Eric Gessner, Dr. Bryan Groth and Dr. Jacob Fassman. Here are some steps you can take to help tackle your heel pain,

Pain Relievers

Sure, medication won’t fix your inflamed plantar fascia, but it can temporarily alleviate the pain so you can feel more comfortable. Try an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can help manage both pain and swelling. If the pain is too intense or isn’t responding to OTC pain relievers, then it’s time to talk to one of our Colorado Springs foot doctors to find out ways to manage your heel pain.

Foot Exercises

While you should stay off your feet and avoid any exercises and activities that could exacerbate your condition, there are still certain stretching and strengthening exercises that your foot doctor may recommend doing. These exercises can promote better mobility and stability in the feet, which reducing pain and stiffness. In some cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help strengthen and retrain the tendons, low leg muscles and plantar fascia to prevent this problem in the future.

Bracing

In some cases, your podiatrist may suggest wearing a night splint or bracing the foot to help stretch and lengthen the plantar fasciitis while you sleep. This can provide the foot with support while also reducing any pain and stiffness that you may feel first thing in the morning.

We are pleased to announce that Colorado Foot and Ankle has opened another office location in Colorado Springs to help address everything from your heel pain and bunion problems to ingrown toenails and diabetic feet. We are practicing all CDC guidelines and disinfecting protocols to provide you with safe, reliable medical care. To schedule an appointment call us at (719) 475-8080.