Are you experiencing painful foot issues that interfere with your daily life? Your first thought might be to call a foot doctor, also known as a podiatrist. But they’re not the only medical professionals who can help you with your problem. An orthopaedic doctor in Singapore might be a more appropriate choice depending on your condition.
Take a closer look at your foot and you might find out how wonderfully complex its structure is. It’s a marvel of human anatomy that consists of an intricate network of muscles, bones, and joints. They work together to withstand the immense pressures of your weight and movement. If something goes wrong with this system, then you’ll suffer from reduced flexibility and range of motion. You might suffer from foot pains that can make walking downright painful.
Back to your orthopaedic doctor. While podiatrists can treat a wide range of foot issues, some of which orthopaedists don’t treat, orthopaedists are professionals when it comes to their specialisation. Orthopaedics is the field concerned with the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of issues related to your musculoskeletal system.
Orthopaedists provide medical assistance when you have muscle or bone issues. An orthopaedic doctor may provide general care, but some can specialise in certain parts of your musculoskeletal system. For example, some can treat specific conditions affecting your head and shoulder region, your spine, and yes, your feet. An orthopaedic doctor may be the best foot and ankle specialist in Singapore for you if your issues concern your foot bones and muscles.
Why do bunions need to be treated?
Identifying foot problems is sometimes easier said than done. Nonetheless, it is the first step toward getting the treatment you need. Sometimes, you might not realise there’s something wrong until you’re experiencing unbearable pains or restrictions in your movement.
Bunions are one of the less-identifiable foot problems that need more attention right at the beginning. If you don’t know what they are, they’re bony protrusions that form at the base of your big toe. Over time, shift some of the bones of your foot out of place. Bunions eventually cause your big toe to move towards your other toes. Your bunions grow bigger with time.
The reason why bunions need to be addressed early on is that it’s hard to treat bunions without medical intervention at late stages. When other treatments for bunions stop working, you may be forced to consider bunion surgery in Singapore. You can’t ignore bunions, either. If they grow large enough, they can not only be inconvenient, but downright painful.
You shouldn’t let bunions get to that state if you can help it. Why not arm yourself with the right knowledge so you can identify and treat bunions before they get worse?
What are the causes of bunions? Who’s at risk?
Bunions don’t just pop up overnight. Usually, there’s an underlying cause that aided the development of bunions. Are you unknowingly increasing your chances of developing them? Not only that, but some people are naturally more at risk. Here are some of the most common factors in bunion development.
1) You wear the wrong kind of shoes. Yes, ill-fitting footwear can wreak havoc on your foot bones. Very tight shoes, specifically those that taper off to a narrow point at the tips, are the most likely culprit. If you wear these kinds of shoes all the time, you might want to consider taking a break from wearing them or looking for an alternative.
2) You were born with a foot deformity. Sometimes, your unluckiness is down to genetics. No, bunions aren’t hereditary, but certain genetics can make you more prone. Your foot structure is inherited from your parents. For example, if you have flat feet, you’re more likely to have bunions. Reach out to an orthopaedic doctor in Singapore if you discover that your family has a history of bone or foot conditions. Take a more proactive role in preventing bunions so you can avoid them in the future.
3) You have arthritis. Serious bone conditions such as arthritis make you vulnerable to bunions. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, you have to be careful to avoid bad habits that can encourage the growth of bunions.
4) You stay on your feet for long periods. Does your work require you to be on the go at all hours? Do your feet hurt after many long days? You might want to be careful. A job or hobby that requires you to put a strain on your feet can increase your chances of bunions. Ballet dancers in particular are some of the most likely to develop bunions because of their long practice hours and their tight ballet shoes.
5) You are female. Women tend to develop arthritis more than men. But that’s not all– most women’s lifestyles make them more susceptible to bunions than men. Most of it is due to the shoe types that women wear. Many high heels place unnecessary pressure on the front of the foot, causing problems in the bone structure. Many women’s shoes also require the foot to shape itself into unnatural positions. You can easily rectify this by looking for work shoes that are more comfortable for you to wear. Don’t prioritise style, fashion, or professionalism over your health so you won’t need an orthopaedic doctorin the future.
6) You’re an older individual. It goes without saying that older people are more susceptible to bunions. As you age, your bones get more brittle, leading to arthritis. Your foot bones can shift or deform much more quickly.
Everyone deserves the best medical treatment for injuries and conditions. Do you have foot and ankle issues that need to be addressed? Reach out to Special Orthopaedic Centre in Singapore for orthopaedic surgery and other treatment options.