Bunion Pain Relief

Finally, a revolutionary treatment for bunion pain!

Our very own podiatrist Mark Reyneker has developed a treatment protocol that relieves the pain caused by bunions. The Business Times recently wrote about it in this article. 

Here is a reader friendly version:

TOE THE LINE

By May Yip

Long blamed for causing the deformed bulge in the foot known as a bunion, those pointy-toed Blahniks may have been getting a bad reputation for all the wrong reasons. According to podiatrist Dr Mark Reyneker from Family Podiatry Centre, bunions are an inherited disorder and the belief they are linked to ill-fitting shoes is not strongly supported by research. Almost 90 per cent of sufferers have at least one family member who also had a bunion deformity.

But before you spend the day in your favourite vertiginous pumps, beware that the condition is nevertheless aggravated by the wrong shoe. The good news is that whether it is caused by Blahniks or Aunt Beatrice’s bloodline, this condition can be managed and treated – without even going under the knife.

According to Dr Reyneker, SHOCK WAVE THERAPY reduces inflammation in joints and can stimulate blood flow to the cartilage. Having been successfully used for knee osteoarthritis, the treatment can promote soft tissue healing in the foot and treats inflammation and swelling to reduce the size of those unsightly, growth-like deformities.

But getting rid of bunions isn’t quite as simple as zapping them into submission. While it reduces swelling and inflammation, shockwave therapy does not change the angle of deformity. It has to be combined with various splints, correction of walking anomalies and foot wear changes – no walking in vertiginous heels all day – for results. In any case, what’s the point of wearing designer shoes 24/7 if someday your bunions would prevent you from wearing them altogether?

“Most are asymptomatic and it only becomes a problem when it makes the foot so wide that most standard shoe sizes can’t fit properly,” says Dr Reyneker. “Friction and pressure from shoes then cause pain and swelling in various areas.”

In short, bunion sufferers might want to give themselves a break from the stiletto of the moment and try on a trending pair of Stan Smiths or plain ol’ Keds. Dr Reyneker suggests getting fitted for custom-made orthotics, or insoles that fit inside the shoe, and a night splint to reduce the angle of the deformity.

“Use them strategically,” says Mark, when asked about shoes for bunions. “Use them when needed for meetings and special occasions, and swap to another pair that you keep in your bag, car or office. Finally, take them off whenever you can on days that you wear them.”