If you're having issues with pain in your feet, or have a bump sticking out on the side of your big toe, it may be a bunion. If you have a bunion, there is surgery that can correct the bunion and relieve you of the pain you are feeling so you can get back to your life as usual. If you are considering bunion surgery, there are things you should know beforehand. Read on for further information about this condition.

Consider Non-Surgical Treatments First

Before going under the knife, you should consider some non-surgical treatments first. One non-surgical treatment you can try first is changing your footwear. If you're wearing improperly fitting shoes that may be too tight or too narrow, they can squish your toes together. Change to shoes that are for wider feet, and never wear shoes that get narrower at the top. Wearing high heel shoes that can push your toes to the top of the shoes can also be the problem. Stop wearing high heels and keep your heels low (under 2 inches). Other non-surgical treatments you can try include: wearing shoes with cushion and support or taping your feet with kinesiology tape. You can also get cortisone shots or try to ice the bunion while resting your feet to alleviate the pain.

Talk To Your Podiatrist

Before your surgery, discuss your options with your podiatrist. Your bunion may only require that the bone be shaved down, while other, more severe surgeries may require that you have the bone moved into place and have a screw put into the bone of the toe. Discuss your bunion with your podiatrist and the severity of the bunion. The type of surgery you have may require more or less recovery time, so consider this as well before you have surgery.

Get Your Affairs In Order

Before you have surgery, you should get all of your affairs in order. You may be off of your feet for awhile, so you may not be able to do a lot of daily activities for some time while you recover. Pay bills, purchase groceries, clean your home, take time off of work, purchase medications ahead of time if possible, and make your home handicap accessible. For example, you may have to move furniture around or rent handicap equipment ahead of time. Do these things so you don't have to worry about them later.

If you are considering bunion surgery, there are some considerations to make before hand. Talk to your podiatrist before considering your surgery and discuss non-surgical options as well.