February 2023

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a condition that causes a bony bump to develop on the joint of the big toe. This occurs due to pressure on the big toe joint, causing a few bones in the top of the foot to move out of place. It can also occur due to foot shape, a medical problem such as arthritis, or another foot condition. Women and the elderly are most apt to suffer from bunions. A bunion can cause the big toe to be pulled toward the smaller toes. The skin on top of the bunion can become sore and red, causing corns or calluses to develop from the deformity as it rubs against the shoes. For mild relief, it is advised that wider shoes are worn to accommodate the bunion. If you have a bunion that is causing you pain or interfering with your daily activities, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for proper treatment.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Deepa Bhatt-Montoya, DPM of Chicago Podiatric Surgeons. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Pain is a characteristic of many foot problems. While pain medications are easy to grab, there are other pain relievers that can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, medications. Using ice packs and warm foot soaks can help soothe and relax sore and aching feet. Foot massages can do the same by reducing tension and improving circulation, but one should take care not to massage an injured foot. If you have injured your foot or do not know what has caused the pain that you are feeling, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can do a thorough examination of your feet and provide the best treatment for proper healing.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Deepa Bhatt-Montoya, DPM from Chicago Podiatric Surgeons. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Anyone who has a serious foot condition and is considering undergoing some kind of foot surgery ought to know about complex regional pain syndrome, also referred to as CRPS. Importantly, CRPS is what is referred to as pain that can sometimes be felt as a symptom of foot surgery, and it can occur after a surgical procedure on the feet. The good news about CRPS is that it is not a relatively common condition. However, it can be helpful to be familiar with it. When an individual does feel CRPS as a result of foot surgery, they might experience a particular kind of burning pain in their legs. There are a variety of different ways that one might go about treating a case of CRPS, including physical therapy and nerve-stabilizing medication. If you are someone that is considering foot surgery, contact a podiatrist today to discuss the procedure and CRPS.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Deepa Bhatt-Montoya, DPM of Chicago Podiatric Surgeons. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When an individual engages in physical exercise, it is important for them to use proper form so that they do not exacerbate any kind of underlying foot pain. One important form of exercise that can potentially illuminate existing foot pain is rowing. Whether you are using a rowing machine or rowing a boat in an actual body of water, you might feel existing foot pain while rowing. Luckily, rowing itself as a form of exercise is not terribly hard on the feet. In other words, rowing does not exert a lot of pressure on the feet. However, if you already have a stress fracture of some sort, rowing might make the foot pain particularly poignant. If you have foot pain on the ball of your feet while rowing and there are signs of swelling or redness, it is possible that you might have a stress fracture of some kind. Additionally, stretching the feet might be a way to mitigate pain during rowing. Contact a podiatrist today if you are a rower and are concerned about foot pain.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Deepa Bhatt-Montoya, DPM from Chicago Podiatric Surgeons. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.