Athlete's: Don't Let Bunions Slow You Down - By: Marco A Vargas

Because they are bone deformities, bunions do not resolve by themselves. The goal for bunion treatment is twofold: first, to relieve the pressure and pain cause by irritations, and second to stop any progressive growth of the enlargement.

Selecting The Right Shoe - For athletes that are dealing with bunion pain, selecting the proper shoe can alleviate the pressure created on the deformity. Most shoes tend to be rounded at the toe box; it is important to ensure that the shoe has a tall toe box that is squared off at the toes instead of rounded or pointed. In doing this the pressure on the bunion is relieved and will reduce pain. Switching to a shoe with a rounder, deeper toe box and made of a softer more pliable leather will often provide immediate relief.

Conservative Care - Bunions are most commonly treated by conservative means. This may involve shoe gear modification, padding and orthoses.. These may help reduce pain in mild bunion deformities and slow the progression of the deformity..

Orthotics - Orthotics are custom made devices that go in the shoe to help re-establish proper biomechanical function of the foot. Many patients with bunions have a low arch, the use of protective padding, often made from felt material, to eliminate the friction against shoes and help alleviate inflammation and skin problems. When we do this, the weight becomes more evenly distributed across the entire foot and the patient may expericence less pain and swelling in the bunion area.

Finally, it is important that athletes implement cross training activities into their regimen for days when there is a lot of pain or swelling. Training hard on a painful bunion will prolong the healing of bunion pain. It is recommended when the pain becomes limiting in any way or begins to interfere with an athelete's training schedule, to visit a podiatrist for a consultation. Since bunions tend to get progressively worse over time, it is advisable to have surgery as soon as limitations present themselves. Because they are bone deformities, bunions do not resolve by themselves. The goal for bunion treatment is twofold: first, to relieve the pressure and pain cause by irritations, and second to stop any progressive growth of the enlargement..

About the Author

Dr. Marco A Vargas is a board certified podiatrist specializing in the treatment of bunions, heel pain, sports injuries and nail fungus. He has offices in Sugar Land, TX and Richmond, TX. For more information on his practice or to order your free copy of his book "Got Foot Pain?" which he wrote on general foot health, visit http://www.thebuniondoc.com.

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