Category: Surgical Procedures

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Depending on its severity, and if left unattended, an untreated ingrown toenail could become infected and worsen, spreading to the bone. If it’s already infected and is showing signs of red inflammation and/or pus, then you should schedule an appointment to see the podiatrist. 

What Does a Bad Ingrown Toenail Look Like?

Ingrown toenails typically begin with a bit of swelling and redness around the corner of the nail bed, where it’s being irritated. The area will also feel tender to the touch. 

But if the mild sensitivity worsens or the swelling and redness begins to spread, then these are signs of a bad ingrown toenail requiring medical attention. Also, if your untreated ingrown toenail has begun to bleed or weep pus it’s also a good idea to call the doctor.

When Should I Be Concerned About My Ingrown Toenail?

If your ingrown toenail is causing you anything more than minimal irritation then you should have your local foot doctor examine it. Some symptoms you should be concerned with are:

• Increased pain
• Bleeding
• Oozing yellow or white pus
• Skin overgrowing the nail
• Increased inflammation and redness

If you’re a diabetic or have circulation or blood clotting problems, then you should always seek immediate medical attention when there are signs of an ingrown toenail.

Need ingrown toenail treatment in the Baltimore and the surrounding areas or have any questions about the info above? Check out our Podiatry Associates locations and find a podiatrist near you. Feel free to call our scheduling office to discuss your specific situation: (833) 500-FEET.

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Time to See a Podiatrist?

If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.

Other Related Articles:

• How to Treat an Infected Ingrown Toenail
• When Should You Go to the Doctor for an Ingrown Toenail?
• Causes and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
• What are the Misconceptions About Ingrown Toenails?
• 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
• Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
• What Can a Podiatrist Do?
• When to See A Podiatrist

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An integral part of almost every woman’s shoe rack is high heels. Women are simply in love with how they look. However, they hate having to walk around in them for very long because high heels aren’t the most comfortable shoe wear. But many women wouldn’t be wearing high heels if they knew that it could eventually result in the need for bunions surgery.

Picture yourself in the retail store choosing a new pair of heels. Being completely honest with yourself, do you select the shoes that look the best on you or those that are the most comfortable? Don’t worry – we all fall into this trap of fashion over comfort. But here’s something for you to keep in mind next time you’re out shoe shopping: wearing high heels can lead to the development of painful bunions.

High heels make you look smart, stylish, fashionable, and modern, but if you wear ill-fitted high heels just for the sake of it, you will end up experiencing foot problems that can often cause bunions that can result in excruciating pain. If you experience extreme bunion pain, the doctor might advise bunions surgery.

But let’s take a step back and examine what are bunions and how they develop.

Definition of Bunions

When the big toe joint develops an enormous bump made of bones, especially on the insides of the foot, this is called a bunion. They don’t happen at once, but grow slowly and gradually become worse with time.

To be more specific, bunions occur when the bones located at the metatarsophalangeal joints become misaligned. This typically happens when there is excessive pressure on the big toe joint, which the big toe can’t perpetually tolerate, eventually causing it to lean on the second toe for support. A bump forms over time due to the change in the bone’s typical structure. 

Usually, bunions develop at the joint of the big toe, but there are possibilities of it developing on the exterior portion of the pinky toe, better known as a bunionette or Tailor’s bunion. Approximately 23% of adults between the age of 18-65 tend to develop bunions. But this number increases to 35.7% with older people, especially above the age of 65.

What Causes Bunions?

Bunions occur more often in women than in men, usually due to the poor choice of shoes. But here are the typical causes of bunions: 

• Shoes with a tight toe box, like high heels or shoes that are just too small
• Genetics or heredity
• Existing diseases like neuromuscular disease or rheumatoid arthritis – bunions are commonly associated with these conditions 

How Do You Relieve Bunion Pain?

Keeping in mind that tightly fitted shoes or high heels cause bunions, the first step to relieving the excruciating pain is to start wearing only comfortable shoes that have enough toe space.  You must eliminate the pressure on the toe in order to get rid of the pain. There are many shoes specifically designed for relieving bunion pain, but it’s best to consult with your local podiatrist to see what is the best path of healing for your feet.

How Do You Treat Bunions?

Begin by scheduling a visit with your foot doctor to see what is the best way to treat your unique case of bunion development. Here are some typical methods for treating bunions: 

• Use shoes with a wider toe box
• Use bunion-shield padding to help ease the pain
• Apply ice at frequent intervals to minimize swelling
• Wear special tailored orthotic devices
• Schedule bunions surgery to help correct your feet if prescribed by your podiatrist

Contact our bunion surgeons in Baltimore to know more and discuss if bunion surgery is right for your condition.

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Time to See a Podiatrist?

If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.

Other Related Articles:

• What You Should Know About Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
• Bunions Treatment & Causes
• A Guide for Bunions
• 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
• Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
• What Can a Podiatrist Do?
• When to See A Podiatrist

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One develops a bunion between the foot and the big toe. It is a painful condition, which results in a bony bump explicitly formed at the joint. The big toes of most patients tend to lean inward, thus allowing your big toe to become more pronounced and eventually leading to an inflamed toe condition. It must be remembered that it takes years for bunions to form. In the beginning there isn’t much pain, but over time can become quite harrowing. If you have developed painful bunions and are not able to bear the pain, which is causing a hindrance to walk, you should consult with one of our doctors about bunion surgery in Baltimore.

One such invasive technique is MIS bunion surgery, which is also known as Minimally Invasive Surgery. MIS Bunion surgery is one of the preferred methods since very little intervention is required. This surgery does not need any long incision. Rather, this surgery can be carried out with only a few incisions. The smaller incision is performed to remove any excess bones. For this surgery, only one or two stitches are required. 

One of the main benefits of MIS bunion surgery is the quick recovery time of the patients. They can often walk easily on their feet within a few days after the procedure is conducted. During the recovery process, the patient usually experiences very little pain compared to other procedures. Also, the scarring from the surgical operation is minimal because small incisions need fewer stitches.

Irrespective of the type of surgical technique that you choose, it is essential for you to understand that there is a possibility of regrowth of the bunions. You may still experience pain in your joints, particularly when you have arthritis. In severe cases, and if appropriate care is not taken, there is a chance of losing your toe’s mobility. Therefore, carefully following post-surgery instructions is essential for increasing your chances for a full recovery.

How to Improve Your Chances for a Full Recovery After Bunion Surgery

1. Do not self-medicate. Instead, consult a doctor in case of any complications and closely follow their advice.
2. Follow the doctors recommendations for prescribed drugs if you experience pain or inflammation
3. If advised, take advantage of any physical activity for regaining the joint mobility
4. Use wide shoes with plenty of room
5. Follow the doctor’s recommendation and wear insoles accordingly
6. Consider adhering to a postoperative diet that includes foods such as berries, oily fish, olive oil, garlic, and ginger.
7. If you find your bunions are returning, you must consult your physician. There are various types of bunions and the doctor will help you understand the options for next steps.

Contact our bunion surgeons in Baltimore to know more and discuss if MIS bunion surgery is right for your condition.

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Time to See a Podiatrist?

If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.

Other Related Articles:

• Bunions Treatment & Causes
• A Guide for Bunions
• 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
• Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
• What Can a Podiatrist Do?
• When to See A Podiatrist

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An ingrown toenail is quite common and occurs when the toenail starts growing into the side of the toenail bed. The irritation can usually be identified by swelling and redness around the corner of the nail. If left alone, an ingrown toenail can become infected. An infected ingrown toenail is nothing to mess around with. In addition to causing extreme discomfort, the infection can spread and lead to other complications.

What is an infected ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail infection results when the minor symptoms of an ingrown toenail get worse. If not properly dealt with, the minimal discomfort in the corner of your toenail bed can escalate and become painfully swollen and red. 

The causes of an ingrown toenail can vary, but can usually involve the improper cutting of your toenails, a toe injury, or even wearing tight shoes that irritate the nail bed.

How do I know if I have an infected ingrown toenail?

The symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail are many and can include:

1. Swelling and redness around the toenail
2. Throbbing or pressure beneath the toenail
3. Pain when touched or bumped
4. Buildup of pus or oozing fluid
5. Bleeding nails
6. Cracking or yellowing in nails that could indicate a fungal infection

How to treat an infected ingrown toenail?

There are some home remedies that you can use to treat and temporarily alleviate the pain of an ingrown toenail infection until you can have it properly examined and treated by a podiatrist. 

The following are ways to treat an infected ingrown toenail:

1. Create a foot bath with Epsom salts – soaking the infected area can temporarily ease the pain, lower the swelling and drain the pus from the infection
2. See a podiatrist – the doctor may begin treatment by inserting a small wedge of medicated cotton between the nail and the inflamed area to drain the fluid
3. The foot doctor may alternatively choose to numb the area and use a small incision to drain the pus
4. The doctor gently wraps the area in sterile gauze to allow further drainage of the infection and prescribe antibiotic ointment
5. Take medications for your infected ingrown toenail if your doctor prescribes them to help reduce the pain and swelling
6. Seek ingrown toenail surgery if the condition persists or comes back again – the doctor simply numbs the toe and cuts off a sliver of the toenail edge so that it doesn’t grow into the nail bed

It’s also worth noting that online there are many ingrown toenail misconceptions, which don’t actually help improve the condition of your ingrown toenail infection. Please cross check your sources to make sure they are board certified doctors of podiatric medicine, like Podiatry Associates.

If you need ingrown toenail treatment in the Baltimore and the surrounding areas or have any questions about the treatments described above, check out our Podiatry Associates locations and find a podiatrist near you. Feel free to call our scheduling office to discuss your specific situation: (833) 500-FEET.

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Time to See a Podiatrist?

If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.

Other Related Articles:

• When Should You Go to the Doctor for an Ingrown Toenail?
• Causes and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
• What are the Misconceptions About Ingrown Toenails?
• 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
• Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
• What Can a Podiatrist Do?
• When to See A Podiatrist

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There are a number of causes for why bunions develop on the outside joint of your foot, but it all boils down to something that is irritating the metatarsophalangeal joint of your big toe. Here are several questions that can help you find the answers to why you might be developing a bunion and what your options are for bunions treatment.

What causes a bunion?

A bunion is typically caused by continually wearing shoes that are too tight. Narrow shoes can irritate the metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of your big toe and cause the joint to become inflamed. You could also develop a bunion from the way you walk, foot injuries, or medical conditions like arthritis. 

Bunions especially tend to run in the family and are typically passed down from parent to child in the form of a problematic foot type such as flat feet, clubfoot, neuromuscular disorders, 

Bunions typically form at the base of the big toe, but there are cases where your little toe can also become inflamed, which is called a bunionette.

Can bunions go away?

Bunions will not just go away unless corrected by bunion surgery. However, if your specific condition is more mild than severe, then there are methods to slow down the development of your bunions without surgery.

Since bunions are permanent and will only get worse as time goes on unless treated, your foot doctor may begin by suggesting to stay away from narrow or high heel shoes. If the pain and irritation doesn’t go away, then your podiatrist will most likely prescribe surgical options for your bunions treatment.

What is the best treatment for bunions?

There are many different methods for bunions treatment and the best way depends on your specific needs and foot condition. Some of these treatments may include home remedies to reduce the swelling like applying ice to the inflamed area, soaking your feet, wearing wider shoes, or avoiding heels higher than 2 inches.

In order to slow down or correct your specific bunion condition, the foot doctor will discuss the best treatment options, which may include bunion pads or braces, shaving your callus, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, or bunion surgery.

Do bunion correctors really work?

Do bunion correctors work? These foot splits aren’t really properly named because they do not actually correct the deformity of bunions. They usually help to reduce pain and swelling caused by bunions and temporarily keep your bunions from getting worse, but bunion correctors don’t really straighten or fix your bunions.

Bunion correctors are orthopedic foot splints that cushion the metatarsophalangeal joint where the bunion has formed and apply reverse pressure to keep the bunion from getting worse. Bunion correctors work as a short term solution to slow down the development of the condition, but do not really correct the bunion long term.

How do you stop a bunion from growing?

Your foot doctor can help to keep your bunion from growing by using a pad, tape, or a brace to hold the foot in a normal position in order to stop the irritation and minimize the pain. The podiatrist will probably also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to try and stop the swelling of the fluid-filled sac that serves to cushion the metatarsophalangeal joint of your big toe.

Physical therapy and the wearing of orthotics are also great bunions treatment options and can help to slow the growth of a bunion.

What are my options for bunions treatment without surgery?

There are many options for bunions treatment that don’t involve bunion surgery. The important thing is to manage the swelling and pain of your bunions so that the condition doesn’t get worse. Here is a list of bunion treatments without surgery:

1. Reduce the bunion irritation with an ice pack, moleskin bunion pad, or gel pads
2. Take anti-inflammatory medications as needed to minimize swelling and pain
3. Use a brace or tape to control foot movement
4. Avoid wearing narrow or high heel shoes
5. Try using orthotics for better foot support
6. See a physical therapist
7. Consult a podiatrist for other treatments specific to your bunion condition

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Time to See a Podiatrist?

If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.

Other Related Articles:

• A Guide for Bunions
• 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
• Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
• What Can a Podiatrist Do?
• When to See A Podiatrist

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