ASK THE EXPERT
What Can I Do About My Bunion? BY DR. JOHN GOODNER
A
bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It is part of your normal foot and not a growth of new bone. The foot bones are starting to spread out, making the bone more prominent. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about bunions and bunion surgery: What is the cause of bunions? Most commonly it is hereditary. Tight shoes will often bring out the problem sooner. Poor foot structure (i.e. flatfeet) may also contribute to the problem. Can I avoid getting bunions if my mother and grandmother have them? Generally, no. You may wear shoes that are wider in the toe box. This may delay the onset of bunions and prevent them from getting very painful. Eventually, a bunion will appear if you are predisposed to it. Do bunions get worse? Over time the bones in the feet spread out further making a bunion appear larger. It may take months to many years, but they will almost always get worse, especially if you are pronated or flatfooted. Cartilage will start to wear thin and some degree of arthritis may develop. What causes the pain over the bunion? Shoes that are narrow put pressure on the skin, nerves and bone. Numbness or tingling may also develop as the nerve gets compressed against the bone by tight shoes. Can the bunion be corrected? Bunions can be corrected surgically if the bunion is painful and it is unresponsive to conservative care. In some cases, small bunions hurt much more than large bunions. Is it painful to have surgery? When done correctly by an experienced surgeon minimal pain is involved. We have done more than 5,000 bunion surgeries.
Can I walk on it immediately after surgery? We advise people to stay off their foot for two or three days. A surgical boot is utilized for a period of six weeks to protect the area and allow it to heal properly. How quickly can I return to work after surgery? It usually requires four days of rest at home before returning to work. A special surgical shoe or boot is given to take stress off the area and prevent problems from developing postoperatively. How long will it take to get back into normal shoes? Everyone is different. It will usually take four to six weeks to get back into flat shoes or sneakers. Heels may take two to three months. Will I be able to resume sports after surgery? Stationery bicycles may be used one to two weeks after surgery. Running sports and activities may require six or more weeks. I had bunion surgery many years ago and it has come back. Can I do something about it? Yes. If the surgical procedure is done correctly a second time the results may be outstanding provided that there are no arthritic changes in the joint. If there are arthritic changes, many surgical options are available to correct the deformity. What is the long-term prognosis? In almost all cases, it is excellent. The earlier the treatment, the better the long-term prognosis because arthritic changes are minimized. Dr. John Goodner is a Board Qualified Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in sports medicine foot and ankle injuries, foot and ankle arthroscopy, lower extremity trauma, and lower extremity deformities in infants, children, teens and adults. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Plantation is located at 220 S.W. 84th Avenue, Suite 102, (954) 720-1530. The practice website is www.SOUTHFLORIDASPORTSMEDICINE.com. Instagram @ SouthFloridaSportsMedicine. Twitter @SFLSportsMed.
ACCEPTING: MEDICARE •BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD • UHC • CIGNA • AETNA • AV MED • AMBETTER • TRICARE WORKERS COMP • ACCIDENTS/LOPS • SIMPLY • STAYWELL • SUNSHINE • BETTER HEALTH • OSCAR • MEMORIAL PHO
South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine
FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALISTS OF SOUTH FLORIDA
OPEN DAILY FOR SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS & TELEMEDICINE DURING THE COVID19 CRISIS
PEDIATRICS
• Flat feet • High Arches • Fractures • Growing Pains • Warts
• Toe Walkers • In Toe • Out Toe • Limping • Ingrown Nail
FRACTURES Why go to an Emergency Room? All Foot, Ankle, and Leg Fractures in Children and Adults! FOOT AND ANKLE ARTHRITIS Total Joint Replacement, Ankle Replacement, Arthroscopy, Fusions, Joint Realignment
CARTILAGE INJURIES Microfractures, Cartilage Transplants, Osteochondral Grafting RECONSTRUCTIVE FOOT, ANKLE AND LEG SURGERY Flat Foot, Bunions, Hammertoes, Ligament Repair, Achilles Tendon Tears, Arthritis Surgery SPORTS MEDICINE Tendon and Ligament injuries, Heel Pain, Shockwave Therapy, PRP & Stem Cell Injections, Arthroscopy and Tendoscopy, Shin Splints, Compartment Syndrome
SERVING OUR PATIENTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS Dr. Robert Sheinberg, D.P.M.
Dr. Carlo Messina, D.P.M.
- In Memory Board Certified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST
Board Certified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST
Dr. Michael Cohen, D.P.M. Board Certified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST
WESTON
PEMBROKE PINES
954-389-5900
954-430-9901
1600 Town Center Blvd.
17842 NW 2nd St.
Dr. John Goodner, D.P.M. Board Qualified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST
PLANTATION
220 S.W. 84th Ave., #102
954-720-1530 SATURDAY HOURS
Make Your Appointment Online at www.SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com
FOOT, ANKLE & LEG QUESTIONS? EMAIL THE DOCTOR! DrJohnGoodner@gmail.com (Don’t Send Protected Health Information)
IMEs • Personal Injury • Worker’s Compensation Most HMOs/PPOs • All Foot Ankle & Leg Emergencies Same Day Appointments • Saturday Appointments Early Morning & Evening Appointments
SELF PAY RATES (Procedure cost is in addition to office visit.) New Patient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200 Surgery Consult . . . . . . . . . . . $200 Injections . . . . . . . . . .$75 per shot Casts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$175 Follow Up Visit . . . . . . . . $50-$100 Orthotics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350 Ingrown Nail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125 X-Rays. . . . . . . . . . . . $50 per area PRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$600 Shockwave (3 sessions) . . . . $500 Laceration Repair . . . . . . . . . $250 Wound Care . . . . . . . . . . .$75-$125 (FOR CHRONIC HEEL PAIN & TENDONITIS)
SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATES (Self Pay Rates Do Not Apply To This Practice Below)
Dr. Al DeSimone, M.D. Board Certified SHOULDER & KNEE SPECIALIST
Dr. Fernando Moya, M.D. Board Certified SHOULDER & KNEE SPECIALIST
24 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM
Dr. David Shenassa, M.D. Board Qualified HAND & WRIST SURGEON
Dr. Alexander Bertot, M.D. Board Certified SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST
Dr. Franz Jones, D.O. Board Certified SPINE SPECIALIST
