April is Foot Health Awareness month! This is a perfect excuse for you to take a little time and evaluate the state of your lower limbs. Do they look okay? Are they comfortable, or have you noticed painful changes like bunions?For anyone putting off treatment for any reason, this is also a great time to set the record straight on a number of common, but false, beliefs about foot care, such as popular bunion surgery myths.
Myth #1: Your bunion has to be really bad to qualify for surgery.
Truth: Any bunion that is painful and limits your lifestyle may be a candidate for surgery. Conservative measures are employed first to attempt to relieve discomfort; if these are not helping, however, surgery may be your best option.
Myth #2: Surgery causes large scars.
Truth: Modern surgical techniques can minimize incisions and hide scars. Most likely you’ll have some marks, but big, thick surgical lines are a generally a thing of the past.
Myth #3: You will have to take an extended medical leave of absence from your job.
Truth: You will need a little time to recover right after the procedure, but when you work again depends on the demands of your job. If you spend your days at a desk, most likely you’ll be able to return after a short recovery time. You will need longer if you spend your whole work shift standing or walking.
Myth #4: A bunion will come back, even after surgery.
Truth: While it’s physically possible to re-develop a bunion after the deformity has been corrected, this is uncommon. If you take care of your foot after the procedure the problem should stay corrected.
Bunion surgery myths have kept many people from pursuing this option for relief, until their pain was so great they couldn’t stand it. This doesn’t have to be you. If conservative measures are not providing the help you need, consult our expert staff here at Martin Foot and Ankle in Hanover,Lancaster, Lititz and York, PA. You can reach us by calling (717) 757-3537 or using the website contact form.
Photo credit: Stuart Miles via FreeDigitalPhotos.net
