Can Orthotics Correct My Bunions?

When your toes are under too much pressure, bony deformities called bunions can start to appear in the area beneath your big toe. Genetic factors can predispose you toward bunions, as well.

Bunions can be painful, and can make it difficult to wear shoes, as the deformity grows and progresses. 

At Town Center Foot & Ankle, our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Stephen Eichelsdorfer, or "Dr. Ike," can help you address bunions. Our goal is to provide you with day-to-day comfort and even fix the problem for good, when possible.

Dr. Ike sees patients with bunions and other podiatry problems at his offices in Kingwood and Atascocita, Texas. One of the treatments he recommends for bunions is custom orthotics, which offer a noninvasive but effective way to resolve this common podiatry problem.

Understanding bunions and foot deformity

While some people are more prone to developing bunions than others, a major factor in the growth of bunions relates to your footwear. That’s one reason why orthotics could be an effective method to relieve pain and pressure associated with bunions.

When your shoes are too tight around the toes, especially if heel height also pushes your weight forward, you end up putting too much pressure on the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of your big toe on each of your feet. That said, you might only develop a bunion on one foot.

As continuing pressure warps the area around your MTP joint, the bony protrusion of a bunion can grow larger and larger. Eventually, bunions can make it a challenge to wear any shoes. You may also experience pain, corns, calluses, and frequent blistering related to bunions.

What orthotics can do for you

Can a simple method like orthotics really fix bunions? Don’t you need surgery for bunions? 

Surgery may be your best option to remove a fully developed bunion, but orthotics are extremely helpful when it comes to relieving pain associated with less severe bunions. Using custom orthotics can also stop a bunion from worsening into a more severe deformity.

Noninvasive interventions like custom orthotics make a big difference for many of our patients, with no surgery required. In some severe cases, you may need more intensive treatment. 

Dr. Ike reviews your case, including your medical history, and recommends the right combination of treatments to soothe and reshape your feet.

Orthotic inserts change the way pressure is distributed over your feet and ankles. By taking pressure off your toes, you allow the MTP joint area to heal. Orthotics may be a particularly good idea for you if you have a foot-shape issue — like flat feet — that contributes to your risk of bunions. 

Padding or taping can also be helpful to repositioning your feet and toes.

We create orthotics just for you, so your footwear addresses all of your unique needs. You might be surprised at how stylish you can stay with our custom-shaped orthotics.

To learn more about getting custom orthotics and putting bunions behind you, contact Dr. Ike at Town Center Foot & Ankle today. Request an appointment online or over the phone now.