bunion – Anderson Podiatry Center

Bunion Surgery Recovery: A Complete Week-by-Week Breakdown

Posted on April 28, 2025June 24, 2025 by admin

Bunion surgery, or a bunionectomy, can be a life-changing procedure for individuals suffering from painful, misaligned toes. While the surgery itself is relatively common, many patients are unsure about what to expect during recovery. Healing from bunion surgery takes time, and understanding the recovery process week by week can help you prepare both physically and mentally. Here’s what you can expect after bunion correction surgery.

Bunion Surgery Recovery Basics

Before you read the week-by-week recovery that you would expect from bunion surgery, some basic principle bunions need to be understood. With very few exceptions when surgery is performed, the first metatarsal bone needs to be shifted towards the second metatarsal bone to correct the increased angle between the two bones.

This increased angle is what causes the bunion protrusion. This requires that the bone heals in a more correct position. The surgical technique to shift the bone can take place at the level of the metatarsal head which is close to the big toe joint or back at the first metatarsal base which is towards the mid-portion of your foot. Approximately 90% of surgeries we perform are in the area of the metatarsal head and most patients can return to regular shoes between 3 and 4 weeks after surgery. For more severe bunions, they may have to be off weight bearing for 5-6 weeks. This is important to understand because when the bunion starts to hurt, it may be advantageous to get it corrected sooner than later.

The majority of these surgeries take place in an out-patient setting and no general anesthesia is needed. The surgery can be done in a minimally invasive approach and may take approximately an hour and local anesthetic, and IV sedation is given during the surgery. The recurrence rate after the surgery is extremely low, and the patients are able to return to their normal daily activities after weeks post-surgery.

(Watch Bunion Surgery Patient Testimonial Videos)

Week 1: Immediate Post-Surgery Care

The first week is all about rest and protecting your affected foot. You’ll likely experience swelling, pain, and discomfort, which is managed with prescribed pain medication and keeping your foot elevated.

Key Instructions:

Keep your foot elevated as much as possible (above heart level) to reduce swelling.
Use ice packs periodically to manage pain and inflammation.
Avoid putting weight on the affected foot; use crutches or a walker as advised.
Keep the surgical dressing dry and intact to prevent infection.
Follow up with your surgeon for post-operative instructions.
Be aware of deep vein thrombosis risks and watch for unusual swelling or pain.

Week 2: Early Healing and Mobility Adjustments

By the second week after surgery, some pain and swelling may persist, but you should notice gradual improvement. Your stitches may be removed during this period, depending on the types of bunion surgery performed.

Key Instructions:

Continue keeping your foot elevated when sitting or lying down.
Start moving your big toe slightly if recommended by your doctor to maintain range of motion.
Some patients may transition to wearing surgical shoes instead of using crutches.
Watch for signs of infection, such as excessive redness, warmth, or drainage.

Week 3-4: Reduced Swelling and Increased Activity

At this stage, you may start feeling more mobile, but your foot and ankle are still healing

Key Instructions:

Swelling may still be present, but it should be decreasing.
Depending on the procedure, you may begin some weight bearing on the affected foot.
You might start gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness.
Avoid prolonged walking or standing.
Keep wearing your surgical shoes as directed.

Week 5-6: Transitioning to Normal Activities

This is when many patients begin to feel significantly better and may even start wearing regular shoes.

Key Instructions:

You may transition to a more supportive shoe with a wide toe box.
Swelling is still common, especially by the end of the day.
You may be cleared for physical therapy to improve strength and mobility.
Avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping.

Week 7-8: Resuming Light Exercise and Daily Routines

At this point, many patients find they can walk more comfortably, though swelling may persist.

Key Instructions:

Walking distances can gradually increase.
Light stretching and strengthening exercises may be introduced.
Swelling may still occur, especially after long periods of standing.
You might be able to return to work if it doesn’t require extensive foot use.

Week 9-12: Near Full Recovery

By the end of three months after surgery, most patients can return to normal activities with minimal discomfort.

Key Instructions:

You should be able to walk normally in comfortable footwear.
Continue exercises to maintain mobility and strength.
Some residual swelling may persist but should be much less frequent.
High-impact activities may be gradually reintroduced with your doctor’s approval.

Month 4-6: Long-Term Healing

Though you may feel fully healed, complete recovery from bunion surgery can take up to a year.

Key Instructions:

Continue to wear supportive footwear to prevent recurrence.
Regular stretching and strengthening exercises help maintain flexibility.
Swelling should be minimal or nonexistent.
High-impact sports and activities can typically resume.

Final Thoughts

It is important to understand that most patients we see for bunions come to us because they are painful, and by that time, the conservative treatment options are less likely to be recommended. If the bunion deformity is dealt with earlier before there is pain, orthotic devices (custom-made arch supports) can help with the discomfort and have some effect on slowing the progression of the condition. Unfortunately, most people allow their pain to be their guide and don’t come in earlier where orthotic treatments could still be useful. Orthotics are also useful after the surgery especially in younger people to alter the biomechanics of the foot that created the bunion to begin with.

Recovery from bunion surgery varies from person to person, but patience is key. Following your doctor’s instructions, keeping up with physical therapy, and taking care of your feet will ensure the best possible outcome. If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or difficulty moving your foot, consult your surgeon promptly.

With the right approach, you’ll be back on your feet—pain-free—before you know it!

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The Perfect Read If You’re Considering Bunion Surgery Lapiplasty!

Posted on October 4, 2023June 27, 2025 by admin

Bunions are a deformity of the big toe joint that can make it difficult and painful to wear shoes. This affliction may be addressed by doing a bunion surgery lapiplasty correction when conservative options fail. If you’re noticing a bump on the inside of your big toe joint that is bothering you when you wear fashionable shoes – this blog is for you.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion deformity is caused by a misalignment of the bones in the foot. The first toe will angulate towards the second toe and the first metatarsal will angulate away from the second metatarsal.

Normally, the first and second metatarsal bones should be close to parallel to each other. However, with a bunion deformity, the angle between the two is increased. This will give the appearance of a large bump on the inside of your big toe joint. The actual bump can be from extra bone on the inside of what is referred to as the metatarsal head but more accurately the primary cause of the prominence is the angle between the metatarsal bones.

What is the goal of surgery?

The goal of surgery is to correct the angle between the first and second metatarsal bones. This correction brings the angle back to a normal anatomical alignment. We do this in such a way that there is no recurrence.

The History of Bunion Correction Procedures

Decades ago, many patients who had bunion surgery had the bump removed. They would use the soft tissue around the great toe joint to realign the toe. These procedures made for an easy recovery but resulted in minimal reduction of deformity and a very high recurrence rate.

Metatarsal Osteotomies

Next, foot and ankle surgeons started to do procedures with osteotomies on the first metatarsal bone to correct the deformity and remove the bump. An osteotomy means that the bone is cut and realigned or shifted to correct the angulation. There were two types of osteotomies; those performed at the metatarsal head (Austin or chevron) in order for the metatarsal head to be shifted. Otherwise, the osteotomies are performed at the base of the metatarsal bone. Those done at the base were for more severe bunions. These types of procedures involved significantly more lay up time. Whether the correction of the deformity is performed at the metatarsal head or the metatarsal base, they are considered traditional bunion surgery.

Next, surgeons determined that maybe the best surgical option was to fuse the first metatarsal cuneiform joint because this is considered an unstable joint. This is called the Lapidus procedure. It corrects the misalignment with a joint fusion. This can work very well but it includes a long lay time. Patients are not allowed to put weight on their foot for at least six weeks non weight bearing. There was also a risk of nonunion or delayed union of bone at the fusion site.

Bunion Surgery Lapiplasty

The bunion surgery lapiplasty procedure is a refinement of the Lapidus procedure. It is promoted as correcting the deformity in three different planes. The procedure also secures the unstable foundation which is believed to be the first metatarsal cuneiform joint. It also allows for early weight bearing. However, it is recommended that you be in a Cam walker so the bones are fully healed for at least six weeks. It is also promoted as having minimal recurrence rate. There are also claims that doing osteotomies of the metatarsal head have very high recurrence rates. Lapiplasty is promoted as having advanced fixation technology to fuse the joint. This technique uses titanium plating technology and these anatomically shaped titanium plates remain in the foot after surgery. Lastly, specialized instrumentation to make the results more precise and predictable are used.

Dr. Anderson’s Opinion of Bunion Surgery Lapiplasty

First, understand that I’ve been curious about this procedure but yet have not performed this procedure.

Here are some notes:

Recurrence Rates: In the marketing material for the Lapiplasty, they suggest a very high recurrence rate for patients that have an osteotomy of the metatarsal head. As a surgeon that has been doing bunion surgeries for 4 decades, I differ with this. Very seldom do we see recurrences. If surgeons were more like me, we would not have continued with these techniques.

They suggest that the correction is more precise because the bunion is being corrected in three planes and not two. In regards to this, yes, I can definitely agree with this; however, one would then assume that if the correction is not done in this manner, less correction was made, and recurrence rates were high – and on this I disagree.

With the Lapiplasty procedure, it is suggested that you will have less layup time. You’ll be able to bear weight within days and will ambulate in a Cam walker for 6 weeks. I’m not sure where the narrative comes from but most patients’ assumption of how long they are laid up is significantly more than the reality. The current way that we do most of our bunion corrections is a few days of non-weight bearing, then walking in a surgical boot or surgery shoe for up to 3-4 weeks. Patients can return to regular shoes in 3-4 weeks. Therefore the conventional approach to bunion surgery using a metatarsal head osteotomy is significantly less than the bunion surgery lapiplasty.

X-Rays of bunion surgery lapiplasty

X-Rays of Anderson Podiatry Center Technique

Majority of patients opt for our procedure due to successful outcomes
No pins left in the foot
Minimal chance of recurrence
You are back to wearing shoes faster

Hardware Complications: Currently we use small pins to fixate your bone with our bunion corrections. The advantage is that they are removed just weeks after, through a very small incision. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about potential pain from bone screws or plates that remain in your foot.

Marketing for Doctors: in the competitive medical world doctors are sometimes looking for an approach that sets them apart or allows them to market themselves. I have no problem with this but if you’re considering this procedure, please understand that there is motivation to do this procedure because the company that makes the instrument is marketing the doctors. You do the procedure and we will market your practice for you to generate more patients. Please consider this.

My Conclusion

I think the Lapiplasty bunion correction is a welcome addition for how foot and ankle surgeons correct a bunion. I don’t think it should be a one size fits all to be done on all bunions. I also think that it’s misleading to think that this procedure will lay you up less, as with many current approaches you may be back in shoes in 3-4 weeks, not 6 weeks. Many patients don’t know enough about bunion surgery to understand that indeed their bunion deformity may not require the procedures that require longer lay ups. In fact, the majority do not. I can agree that the technique used may lead to more consistent results, that’s assuming the conventional approaches have a lot of variation in outcomes. To summarize, you need to question the recurrence rates that they claim with conventional surgeries, and if it is worth the longer lay up times. If you are considering bunion correction please don’t hesitate to contact us for an initial bunion foot evaluation.

We have local foot clinics in the Fort Collins and Broomfield area with certified podiatrist who are experienced in bunion corrections. Watch out patient testimonial below to hear about the success, Phyllis is just one of many we have treated over the years.

For a full list of videos view our Bunion You Tube playlist.

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What You Need to Know About Foot Surgery for Bunions and Three Ways They are Corrected!

Posted on June 19, 2023July 1, 2025 by admin

Bunions can be a painful foot condition for many. They can become painful and make finding a comfortable pair of shoes to wear very difficult. Foot surgery for bunions should be not only be considered for the asthetical value, but the overall bony health and balance of the body.

What is a Bunion & What Causes a Bunion?

There is a primary problem that creates a bunion, which starts as the big toe begins to anglalate towards the smaller toes. The metatarsal bone at the base of the digit moves away from the rest of the foot causing an increased angle. This increased angle is between the first and second metatarsal bones. The results are a hard bony prominence at the base of the big toe. The medical term for this condition is Hallux Valgus.

The primary cause is thought that poor foot mechanics may be the main cause. Too much weight may be placed beneath the great toe joint, and it changes the pull of the tendon around the great toe which starts the process. Also, wearing shoes such as high heels that are pointed or too tight may also be a cause.

Non Surgical Treatments

When it comes to bunions, there are multiple non-surgical options to tryout:

Change in Shoe Gear – Try to avoid shoes that are too tight and purchase shoes with a larger toe box
Padding – Placing more cushion on the area may also provide temporary relief and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs
Orthotics – Custom made shoe inserts called orthotics may also be useful

Surgical Treatment Option for Bunions

For many, the surgical correction becomes the treatment of choice. When it’s difficult to wear the majority of shoes this may be the appropriate treatment.

We can discuss three basic approaches to correcting the bunion. To begin with the problem lies in the angulation of the first metatarsal away from the second metatarsal bone. This is what causes most of the bony prominences that rub against the shoes. This angle needs to be reduced so the two bones are more parallel. By accomplishing this angle correction, it is easier to straighten the big toe. Many years ago, bunion surgery had a bad reputation because doctors would simply remove the bone bump and not address the angulation of the bone. Thus, for many, this only offered part-time relief.

How is the angle corrected? It can be done in three general ways:

By shifting the bone close the great toe joint
By shifting the bone by the base of the metatarsal bone closer to the instep
By removing a portion of the great toe joint

It is also important to note that what procedure the foot and ankle surgeon choses is based upon the severity of the bunion deformities and the patient’s age.

Three Types of Foot Surgery for Bunions Performed

There is the option of shifting the bone by the great toe joint. The vast majority of toe time, this procedure is performed at Anderson Podiatry Center. The technique is used for more mild or moderate bunions. The recovery from this is usually wearing a surgical shoe or Cam walker for 3-4 weeks and just a few days of non-weight being in the beginning.
The option of shifting the bone at the base closer to the ankle usually requires more lay-up time of weeks after surgery, usually 4-6 of off- weight bearing. This procedure is reserved for more severe deformities and may only comprise ten percent of the bunion corrections that we do.
This final option is to remove a portion of the great toe joint. This can work very well in the senior population over 65 years of age. There is very little risk and has been performed successfully in patients in their 80’s. For all these surgical options, the affected foot will need to be elevated after surgery for several days and weight bearing can resume within days or weeks depending on what surgical approach is performed. Physical therapy may also be recommended during the surgical recovery. When you can return to normal activity level will also vary.

Below, I have a few notes in regards to bunion surgery and occurrence.

Surgical Setting: These surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia and IV Sedation. Depending on the circumstance, both feet may be done at once.

Recurrence Rates: The possibility of recurrence of the bunion is very minimal especially if the foot and ankle surgeon is shifting the first metatarsal bone, and not simply removing the bunion bump.

Why Early Treatment May be Advantageous

Foot Surgery for bunions should be carefully considered and should not be done for cosmetic reasons. Once there is pain and shoes are becoming a challenge, surgery before the bunion becomes more severe may be best. Why? Simply because of lay-up time. This is something few patients are aware of. Many assume it may be weeks of not bearing weight on the foot. This is not the case for many patients. The majority of corrections we perform allow you to place weight on the foot within a few days.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

We can find a solution for you!

Bunion pain relief ! Karen is back to wearing the shoes she loves. She shares her experience.

Bunion Surgery Success! Tammy Shares Her Story

Susan’s shows off her shoes she can now wear . Bunions fixed !

Bunion surgery on both feet! Kari shares her honest story of what it was like for her. — Bunion Surgery – Kari

Five things to do before you visit the podiatrist for bunion pain!

Posted on May 19, 2022June 30, 2025 by admin

Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities that cause terrible inconvenience to daily life. In this blog, we will share with you some conservative at-home treatments for bunion pain relief, before having to opt for surgery. Did you know bunions tend to be more common for women than men? Many people suffer because of wearing shoes that place pressure on the bunion bump. Although tight-fitting dress shoes have been thought to be a cause it is thought the be from other factors. Pregnancy because of increased ligamentous laxity and women may inherit the foot mechanics that lead to the problem. At our Fort Collins clinical location we have seen a number of patients with bunion issues and helped relieve their pain.

What is a bunion?

A bunion, also known as hallux abducto valgus, is the misalignment of the great toe. As part of the deformity, the great toe begins to deviate towards the second two, and this is followed by an increased enlargement of the first metatarsal at the base of the joint. The first metatarsal bone then starts to shift away from the second metatarsal bone, causing serious misalignment. This is responsible for most of the swelling in the big toe knuckle.

What causes bunions?

It is a popular notion that shoe gear is the primary reason one develops a bunion. However, most foot specialists agree that improper foot mechanics from inherited foot type plays a larger role. In fact, it has been noted in some cultures such as tribes in Africa and New Guinea, that shoes are rarely worn, yet bunions are still present within the populations. You may hear, “My mom had bunions and now I do too!”, as a pretty common phrase that goes around.

Why do bunions hurt?

Misalignments will create a large prominence by the great toe joint, thus making the foot wider and more difficult to fit into shoes. The great toe may also rub against the second toe, causing severe and continuous pain.

Treatments for bunion pain: At-home remedies to try

Wider shoes – You may consider getting wider shoes. Women may need to limit their styles and duration of time in dressy shoes. It is best to avoid pointed, narrow shoes, or high heels for long periods of time.
Padding – Various pads can also be used inside the shoes to protect the bunion bump from rubbing the shoe.
Toe splints – You may also try toe splints that straighten the toe when they are worn.
Over-the-counter arch supports – These may support the great toe joint area and give some relief.
Ibuprofen and icing –Using an ice pack or an anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen may offer temporary relief from bunion discomfort. They assist in immediately reducing pain and inflammation.

What your podiatrist may do for bunion pain relief

Orthotics

Many podiatrists will use orthotics on a conservative basis, especially if the bunion is in its early stage – as patients are more likely to get bunion pain relief this way. The orthotics can help stabilize and support the great toe joint and redistribute weight more evenly. They may also biomechanically slow down the progression of the deformity.

Podiatrists have training in biomechanics and believe in placing the foot in what is called its “neutral point non-weight bearing” position. This means we place the foot where it should be, not where it is when bearing weight. A digital scan is used to capture this foot position. The patient will get a very precisely made orthotic that will have the potential to provide maximum benefit.

Scanning of the foot to get a digital 3-D model of a patient’s foot at our Fort Collins and Broomfield clinic to address common foot problems like bunions.

Surgery

Failure after trying conservative treatments may need surgery for bunion pain relief. Surgery does have a high success rate and the recovery time can vary depending on the type of correction that is needed. One advantage of not waiting too long to have bunion correction surgery is that more severe bunions can require techniques that leave you non-weight bearing for a longer period of time. Most bunion surgeries, however, will allow you to be back in lace-up shoes in three to four weeks.

In most promising scenarios, patients are able to bear weight on the foot in the first week. Several surgical techniques we follow involve removal of the bony prominence and then shifting the first metatarsal bone that is out of alignment so that it is back in its original position. This corrects the deformity and narrows the foot making shoe selection easier.

Patient Testimonial Video of how Susan’s Bunions were fixed!

How to know if surgery is right for you?

The decision for surgery is a very personal one. Each patient may have different goals in their mind. You may want to discuss your options with our team of specialists before you pick your treatment plan. Our staff and podiatrists will be available should you need any assistance regarding your foot and ankle health.
Suffering from bunion pain is definitely not worth it and it is important to consider a consultation with our podiatrists to see what’s right for you.

by Dr. Anderson

What Are the Benefits of Wearing Orthotics?

Posted on December 23, 2020July 1, 2025 by admin

As a podiatrist, we often recommend orthotic devices as they can be of great benefit for the wearer. Before we dive into the benefits of wearing orthotics, let’s answer the question of what an orthotic is, from a podiatrist point of view.

In today’s world, it seems like everyone is marketing their orthotics. You see them in retail stores, shoe stores, ski shops, and even Facebook ads. As a podiatrist, the whole concept of what an orthotic is has been muddied. My opinion is shared by my colleagues- podiatrists believe there is a non-weight-bearing, neutral-point position of the foot. And so, whatever technique is utilized to fabricate an orthotic, an impression of the foot should be taken in this position.

The foot is positioned at its optimal functional position. Any kind of orthotic that is made from a technique that involves any partial or full weight-bearing, we feel is not done accurately. There are small, torsional abnormalities, sometimes between the front half and rear foot, that are not taken into account when the foot is bearing weight. A podiatrist’s orthotic is much more precise and is able to support and control excessive motion in the foot more accurately. That is not to say that an orthotic made from a weight bearing technique won’t work, but the chances are greatly reduced. It is a common story of patients we treat.

Benefits of Orthotics

I am writing this blog at a time where some advocate barefoot running, or running in minimalist shoes. So hear me out from a foot specialist’s point of view. Outside the office, when someone finds out I’m a podiatrist, I’m often asked what types of shoes are best. Using tact, I’ll make the point that it’s like asking an optometrist what lens prescription they should have. We expect that kind of precision for our eyes, but medicine seems to not think the same rules apply to the feet.

If one has excellent foot structure, I’m not opposed to the idea of barefoot running. My point is that it all starts with what foot type you’ve inherited. It has been observed that 70% of people may have feet that overpronate. Pronation is simply the motion that involves the flattening of your feet. The foot will flatten the arch and abduct, or move away from the other foot. A more ideal foot type does not overpronate, and the actual bony structure helps stabilize and support the foot. There is a locking mechanism that takes place in the bones in the midfoot area. Those that have feet that are much more flexible, or pronates more easily, are thought to have a foot where the bones do not lock and support the foot. Therefore, soft tissue needs to. This can cause excessive stress on structures such as tendons, joints, nerves and other soft tissue structures such as fascia. So, how do you know if custom orthotics might be useful? The following are some tips and specific conditions you should know about.

If you keep getting the same type of injury or foot pain over and over, or if you’ve had that injury for an extended period of time, it may be time to look into orthotics. Especially if you’ve already tried resting, anti-inflammatories, and icing the area. This could also be an indication that your foot type lends itself towards having specific issues.

Soft tissue problems

Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis
- One of the more common problems is plantar fasciitis commonly referred to as heel pain. Orthotics will reduce the stress of the plantar fascia pulling on the bottom of the heel. For Achilles tendonitis the stress on the Achilles will be reduced.
Foot deformities
- Bunions may also be helped with orthotics. If you have an enlargement on the inside of your big toe you may benefit especially in the early stages of the deformity.

Nerve problems

Neuromas and tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Neuromas are a nerve enlargement that can occur in the ball of the foot. If you’re experiencing burning, tingling and numbness on the bottom of your foot, you may have tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Joint pain
- Arthritis in the foot can also be treated with orthotics and it’s a safer, drug free approach. This may include big toe joint pain commonly referred to as Hallux limitus. Also, ankle pain and pain in the small joints in your arch.

Final Thoughts

You may save money as you’ll quit shopping for shoes to solve your foot problems. The orthotic can be taken from shoe to shoe and will neutralize the less optimal shoe as it’s designed precisely for your foot.
You’ll avoid injuries as certain foot structures lend themselves to certain injuries
You could lose weight and sleep better as you become more active.

If you yourself frustrated with your inability to stay active, please consider a consultation with us to truly understand more about the foot structure you have and how it may be the issue that no one has explained to you. There are many benefits of wearing orthotics, so it’s time you discover for yourself!

Are Custom Orthotics For Foot Problems Right For You?

Posted on December 8, 2020 by admin

There are two basic principles to consider when dealing with your feet and your lower extremity pains that you may have. First, do you think you have a foot that over flattens, otherwise called pronation? As foot specialists, we have been trained in biomechanics and believe that most patients are born with different foot types. If you tend to overpronate the bony structure of your foot, you cannot adequately support the foot. This results in soft tissue structures being stressed more. Orthotics simply position the foot so that the joints can support the foot and demand less of other structures.

Secondly, do you have a condition that continues to plague you in spite of attempts with anti-inflammatories, icing, resting or maybe even physical therapy? Do you find that if you lay off from running or walking and return to it, the same problem occurs? If this is you, then this blog is right for you! Let’s find out if custom orthotics for foot problems are right for you.

Over-pronation

Let’s address your first concern. Over pronating is a very simple concept to understand. People tend to flatten their arch or roll their foot inward too much and too often. The old adage is, if you walk in the sand and you can’t see much of an arch, this could be an indication of pronation. This is somewhat true in most cases, but it may be more complex than that. Some people have an arch that doesn’t over flatten; but if you look at their heel from behind, their heel tends to roll in quite a bit. It does not stay perpendicular to the ground.

Different kinds of feet present different kinds of pronation. Sometimes, a professional is the best to tell you if you are an overpronator. If you have tried various treatments and you have had a problem that’s been persisting; for over one, three, six or twelve months – it is an indication that your foot structure needs additional support. The following are some conditions that are oftentimes bettered or totally eliminated with the use of orthotic devices.

Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis

Pain on the bottom of the heel is referred to as plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the most common problems to be treatable. Tendon on the backside of your heel or running up the Achilles tendon, is, oftentimes, Achilles tendonitis. Orthotics can treat this a great deal. In many cases, treatment options such as anti-inflammatory stretching and physical therapy just don’t knock it away.

Bunions and Foot Deformities That Are Treated With Custom Orthotics

Bunions are a prime example of this, especially if it’s in early stages and not painful yet. There is a chance of a foot deformity where you can feel growth on the back of your heel; also called the Haglund’s deformity or pump bump. Patients can benefit from orthotics in this situation. In both cases, the biomechanics of your foot might allow you to have a progression of a bunion or progression of the bump on the back of heel.

Stiff Toe Joint

Also referred to as hallux limitus or hallux rigidus, this is an arthritic condition in its early stages and can be healed with orthotic devices.

Painful Ankle

The ankle in itself can have arthritis and orthotics may benefit that. There are stabilizers or stirrup tendons that help stabilize the outer side and the inner side of the ankle. If you have overpronation, these tendons tend to have to be overused because they’re trying to stabilize the foot that is unstable.

Knee Pain

Orthotics have a proven track record of helping what is called chondromalacia patella, which occurs when the kneecap is not centered over the knee joint, thereby causing arthritis between the knee joint and the femur bone. There are instances when people have a higher Q-angle and their knee angulates inward so the thigh and lower leg are not in a straight line. By supporting the foot more this can lessen the angulation at the knee with every step that is taken. The patella can then stay in better alignment and may be less likely to wear down the cartilage. If you have any of the above conditions or just simply have a problem that persists for a long time, orthotics may be just the way to go for you.

Finally if you find yourself in pain in the ball of your foot maybe you’re feeling like your sock is wrinkled but it isn’t. You may be suffering from a nerve enlargement called a neuroma (mortens neuroma) . Orthotics can help as they support the area to lessen the rubbing of a ligament against the nerve.

This blog will serve as a guideline for your consideration of custom orthotics for foot problems and what they are useful for. Depending on your condition, orthotics may be a part of the solution or the only treatment that is needed. So remember to consider if you think you’re an overpronator and are having difficulty getting rid of a chronic problem in the foot or ankle.

What You Should Know About Bunion Treatment

Posted on November 17, 2020 by admin

What Are Bunions?

You have all seen a person wearing beautiful sandals, but notice a big bump or protrusion on the side of their foot by the big toe. Or maybe you’ve seen an area of the shoe by the big toe that is being pushed out- looking as though it wants to bust through. This is a bunion.

There are several hereditary factors that can cause bunions; and the most popular opinion is that shoes aggravate it. Bunions become a big issue when they start to cause skin irritation, redness and swelling, so it’s fair to look into bunion treatment options before things get bad.

Why Do We Get Bunions?

There are varied factors that lead to the formation of bunions. As foot specialists, we believe that in most cases shoes can aggravate the problem, but are not usually the main cause. In fact, the foot type you’ve inherited has a lot to do with creating the bunion.

The first metatarsal (the bone that leads down to the great toe joint) needs to be very stable. Many people tend to over-flatten their feet in their arch, causing instability of the first metatarsal. This results in an abnormal pulling of the tendons which causes the big metatarsal to move away from the others, thus creating the bunion bump. To simplify, the bump is caused by the misalignment of the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal.

There are other bunion formation theories that involve the shape of the tarsal bones (these are the small cube-shaped bones in your arch). Some believe that the different shapes of these bones associated with your first metatarsal leads to more instability, and therefore can create the bunion deformity angle.

Treatment:

There are various bunion treatments that can be attempted, such as padding, wearing different shoes, custom-made orthotics or cortisone injections. Oftentimes these can help, especially if the bunion is at an earlier stage, but in many cases these options are only a temporary fix.

It is important to know that as time goes on and the deformity of the bunion gets worse, people can even develop an arthritic condition in the great toe joint.

For many patients, surgery is the most popular bunion treatment option because it is considered a permanent correction. We discuss this very carefully with patients because it can lead to risks such as recurrence, infection, nerve injury, or slow/delayed bone healing.

The Most Popular Surgical Options:

There are different approaches taken to correct a bunion surgically – the simplest being what is called the Silver bunionectomy (also known as the McBride bunionectomy). This involves shaving off the extra bone on the inside of the big toe. Another common procedure is the Austin Bunionectomy, where the bone by the big toe joint is pricesely shifted over towards the second bone; therefore reducing the angle between the two bones.

Depending on the severity of the deformity, other bunion treatment options may take precedence – such as the removal of a wedge of bone towards the arch. This is reserved for more severe deformities and will also close the angle down to bring the first metatarsal closer to the second metatarsal.

At Anderson Podiatry Center, we believe we have perfected these techniques to give our patients the maximum correction, so they can get back to normal activity in their shoe gear. For most patients, it takes six to eight weeks to achieve this. If you’ve started noticing difficulty in wearing shoes, and are therefore limiting your shoe selection, please book an appointment to discuss treatment options. A consultation with us can go a long way; let us help you get back to pain-free activities.

Bunion Pain – Gone!

Posted on March 12, 2020 by admin

New Year… New Feet… New Shoes!

“Beauty is Pain”

For Susan, the saying, “Beauty is Pain” rang very true when she discovered that trying to fit into her stylish shoes was causing her feet unbearable irritation and foot pain from her bunions! “They became very painful, and it was hard to find shoes that were comfortable.” Susan was one of many bunion (big toe pain) patients that we see in our office. In fact, there are 3 million cases reported in the United States each year!

Something had to be done…

“The bunions were really difficult because they had grown worse over the years. My mom had them horribly, and I just couldn’t go down that road. I decided to go forward with the surgery!” Susan couldn’t bear her bunions preventing her from sporting her favorite footwear any longer, so she came to us to get them removed. Bunion surgery has a high success rate and will have you walking comfortably for life.

Pop back in her step!

We were happy to help Susan with her unbearable foot pain. The surgery went remarkably well, and she is beaming at the sight of her brand new feet! “I’m so thankful, I can’t say enough about how good Dr. Anderson was and the staff, everybody has been great.”

Along with the support of her family, Susan should never be at a shortage of stylish footwear again. “My family pulled through for Christmas. I received a DSW gift card and I bought NORMAL shoes and they feel great! I’m very very happy with my new feet.”

Do you or a loved one have bunions? We would love to discuss options with you. Give us a call to make foot pain a thing of the past!

Expert, State of the Art Care | Experienced Doctors | Friendly Staff

What Are Bunions and How To Treat Your Big Toe Pain

Posted on January 17, 2019July 1, 2025 by admin

Big toe pain can make you dread putting on your favorite shoes or boots am I right? Matt felt that way too but not anymore!

Matt called our office with fairly advanced big toe pain which had progressed to the point that walking was painful and running and sports were getting harder and harder to participate in enjoyably. His big toe pointed towards his second toe and he had a bump on his big toe joint, both of which are classic signs of a bunion. He like many were looking for a solution to end his pain and get back to the activities he enjoys.

Matt, like many other patients we’ve seen, felt discouraged because his feet ached to the point of distraction and caused downright pain!

Does walking or running hurt? Take look at your bare foot. Does your big toe point in toward your second toe? Does your big toe hurt to the point you’d classify it as big toe pain? Is there a bump on your big toe joint? If so, you might have a bunion.

Just What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a misalignment of the big toe joint. This misalignment causes the big toe to point outwards and rotate towards the smaller toes, and appears as an enlargement at the base of the big toe. Similarly, if you have a sizeable bump at the base of your little toe you may have a bunionette.

What are the Symptoms of a Bunion?

Some symptoms of bunions and bunionettes include:

Inflammation and redness in the enlarged joint
Irritation or tenderness
Inflammation in a small fluid-filled sac adjacent to the joint
Swelling
Localized arthritis in the joint (typically occurs during later stages of the deformity)
Chronic pain in the enlarged joint and toe

One of the worst effects of bunions is a decrease in activity level. Bunions can make you hesitate to be active, especially if you are in pain. With bunions it’s often impossible to run or go on long walks, and if you can walk, you have to slow down or alter how you walk to relieve some of the pain. This can cause additional problems from ‘favoring’ the painful bump.

What Causes a Bunion?

Although the precise cause of bunions is unknown, there are certain factors that contribute to them:

Inherited Genetic Factors: Though shoes can play a role in aggravating this deformity, the majority of bunions are a result of biomechanics, or inherited foot types. We also know that bunions are 10 times more likely to affect women than men.
Abnormal Biomechanics: Instability in the joint and muscle imbalance can create bunions.
Trauma: Though uncommon, some sprains, fractures, and nerve injuries have led to the development of bunions.
Neuromuscular Disorders: Certain disorders, such as polio, though rare, have had a correlation with the occurrence of bunions.
Limb-leg discrepancies: When one leg is longer than the other the longer leg tends to grow the bunion.

Bunions can make you dread putting on your shoes, limit what shoes you can wear, and greatly decrease your activity level. Yes, wearing loose and supportive shoes or taking certain medications like ibuprofen can help alleviate the symptoms, but those are only short term solutions.

How Do You Treat Bunions?

Though your symptoms may stay the same, it is vital to understand that bunions are progressive and will worsen over time! Also the longer you wait to treat them the more difficult or extensive the repair needs to be.

The good news is that there are long term solutions to treating bunions with big toe joint pain treatment:

1. Orthotics

We create custom orthotics here in our office. We take a three-dimensional scan of your actual foot and create the orthotic based on exactly what your foot needs. These correct the bio-mechanical imbalances in your feet and create a ‘neutral ‘ stance that takes the pressure off your big toe joint and relieves big toe pain.

2. Corrective Surgery

Surgery is a very successful procedure for treating bunions, and it is the best way to correct this deformity, relieve pain, and improve foot function. People tend to have a misconception about how much down time they will have after bunion surgery. But the great news is, in just three to four weeks after surgery, you can be back to your regular shoes again!

Don’t let bunions on your foot control any longer.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Matt’s Testimonial of his Bunion Treatment at Anderson Podiatry Center Experience

Posted on July 18, 2018 by admin

Matt had a truly great experience at Anderson Podiatry from the moment he walked in and was greeted by the receptionist. The environment was very comfortable, and all doctors and nurses were incredibly knowledgeable and helped him understand what to expect from beginning to end. Matt had bunions on both of his feet since he was a small child, and within the past year they had gotten so bad he could not walk, run or be very active without experiencing extreme pain.

If your big toe points in towards your second toe, or if there is a bump on your big toe join- you may have a bunion. However, if your big toe looks normal but there is a bump at the base of your pinky toe you may have bunionette. Bunions are a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe when the big toe pushes against the next toe. It is usually self-diagnosable with the main symptoms being bone deformity, pain, and stiffness. Bunion surgery itself is performed to reduce pain and fix the deformity. Bunions and bunionettes can make you dread putting on your shoes, but the specialists at Anderson Podiatry Center are experts in treating both of these conditions, and can help you get back on your feet by treating the underlying cause of bunions and bunionettes, not just the symptoms. Some options include, custom orthotics and corrective surgery- and with all insurance plans accepted, there is no reason not to be soon.
The best thing about Matt’s surgery was the fact he can now play with his dogs, go on runs, and be active the way he wants to be without having to hold anything back.

Matt would absolutely recommend his family and friends to Anderson Podiatry Center.