Orthotics and Bunion Treatment in Downtown Toronto
As Downtown Toronto Chiropodist and Podiatrist, we focus on the management and treatment of foot pain. Some conditions respond well to rehabilitation exercises and some require support to help prevent the progression of foot pain. Sport medicine literature recommends those with bony problems, such as bunions, benefit from a stiffer and more supportive orthotic.
Rehabilitation and orthotic prescription is what Downtown Toronto Chiropodist, Laura Desjardins has a lot of experience with. She has a lot of experience in making orthotics that prodive the rigidity needed for athletes as well. In fact she runs in a rigid orthotic herself. After finding out soft orthotics still cause her foot pain, she now feels even runners with bunion issues should be in a more supportive device for best pain relief.
Downtown Toronto Chiropodist, Laura Desjardins, is fortunate to connect with various sport medicine researchers leading in tendon research and professors from top ranked sport medicine faculties across North America. This knowledge has helped her understand foot injuries in more detail. Bunions are one condition that can benefit from orthotics.
What are Bunions ?
The medical term is Hallux Abducto Valgus and best described as the big toe deviating and a bony province over the inside of the joint. It can present with or without pain.
What causes them?
This problem can arise from tight fitting/ narrow toe boxes, high heels, flat feet, and pronation of the leg and foot. Pronation is when the bones fall inwards towards the midline of the body. Bones can shape based on repetitive movement in this pattern.
Treatment and Orthotics
Initial bunion pain can be treated with shockwave therapy, anti inflammatories, joint mobilization , rest ,splints, spacers, ice and support. Later stage treatment includes hyaluronic acid injections or surgery. At Downtown Toronto Chiropody clinic, Laura Desjardins treats this condition by addressing alignment, hip and foot strengthening, orthotics and footwear education. If needed, one may be referred for hyaluronic acid injections for joint pain. If conservative measures fail, then bunion surgery is the next step.
How Orthotics Help Bunions:
The condition is due to hypermobility and the foot collapsing inwards. Orthotics have to be stiff with the correct prescription to correct for your individual foot deformity. Casts or 3D scanners are the best impressions for taking your orthotic casts. That is where the true correction can be made from. Foam box and the pressure mapping are not considered gold standard with orthotic prescription making. The outcome of the effect of these devices can be compromised.
Quick tips For Bunion Treatment
Icing the area, using topical pain creams and anti-inflammatories can help lessen the ache. Simple bunion splints you can purchase, help stretch the joint capsule and offer temporary relief. These splints do not fix the bunion as the underlying issue is from the trauma. This is trauma from wear and tear on your feet such as standing, walking and running.
Key Points
Bunion pain does respond well to orthotic treatment. Bunion treatment orthotics need to be made with the correct prescription for support or else they will not prevent the collapsing of the foot . Orthotics for bunions need to be stiff with the foot corrections made in them. The casts should not be foam box. If treatment of orthotics , exercises, footwear changes, spacers and splints do not offer relief, you should be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
