Foot Problems and Treatment Options

Through all of my health conditions and journies with each of them, there's one "ailment" I've never share here before, until now, that is. 

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All my life I've had what I only knew to refer to as a foot "deformity." It's similar to mild bunions -- and oh how that word makes me cringe -- but I've lived with these odd knots on the sides of my feet for as long as I can remember.

However, one of the main reasons I've never felt any reason to post about my foot deformity -- although it would classify as a health "ailment" --  is because they never really caused me life-altering problems. They can be painful, especially when I wear heels that cover my entire foot, including my toes.

In fact, I've never really worn shoes other than flip-flops, sandals and the occasional high heels. The exception to that being boots. I have a couple pairs of rain boots that I can usually wear comfortably unless I'm on my feet for hours and hours at a time. That's typically when the little knots on the sides of my feet start to hurt. 

Mostly, I've been able to comfortably work around them my entire life, and being a sandal and flip-flop lover, that's not been such a hard feat. It's also helpful that I've been able to find a pair of boots that are heels and don't bother my feet, even when walking around for somewhat lengthy periods.

On the other hand, though, my grandmother has been discussing looking into treatment options to "take care of those things on my feet."

Being somewhat curious about the possibly treatment options that might be available to someone like me who has a very mild case of... we're not going to use that word. Everyone else in my life has always referred to them as my "balls" or my "feet balls," which isn't much better than ... gulp... bunions. But I prefer to just refer to them as the "bones that stick out." 

So, I sucked up my pride and did some research online regarding my... bones that stick out.

What I found out was that it actually is a deformity, and instead of bunions, there's a much more confusing-sounding name to call these foot pests, their scientific name: A hallux abducto valgus deformity. Now imagine the look on people's faces when they cringe and ask what's "wrong with" my feet and I spit back "it's a hallux abducto valgus deformity."

And it's basically a "medical deviation of the great toe," according to Wikipedia. A common cause of bunions is pressure applied to the side of the big toe, usually by shoes. Other causes have been put out there as well, but it's interesting to have read that apparently, in cultures where people don't wear shoes, bunions hallux abducto valgus deformity is not a thing. It was also said on Wikipedia that they can sometimes be genetic, which could be my case since I don't remember not ever having them. Even as a small child, I remember people making comments about them.

The information regarding treatment options that I came across was actually somewhat relieving. I found out that Medical Foot Solutions in Ontario, founded by two folks named Jonathan Haslehurst and Ruth Avelino who appear to really have an interest in foot care.

The Medical Foot Solutions provide all sorts of innovative healing treatments, and they specialize in feet! After my grandmother recommended I consider having something done about my own problem, one of the first things that came to mind was that I'd want to be sure I seen someone who specialized in feet and not just an all-in-one doctor. It's something I definitely want to have someone who's as caring and passionate as possible about feet before deciding on some sort of treatment. I'd hate to end up choosing to get it "fixed" only to end up with a surgeon who hated feet!

Moving on, I was quite impressed at all the feet treatments offered by Medical Foot Solutions. Everything from tingling toes to "if it hurts or does not look right," they seem to have it covered.

What really stood out to me, though, was that Medical Foot Solutions' website included a list of treatment options that they can offer specifically for... hallux abducto valgus deformity.

          The options are:  

• Orthotics
• Cortisone
• Fasciotomy (where they cut the fascial tissue.)
• Hypro Cure
• Footwear

 While some treatment options seem a little scary, and perhaps even unnecessary for my own current foot bones, I was relieved to to read that there are possible future options for me, and folks like me who only have mild issues, but feel better knowing that if it ever is required, that there's specialists and options available. 

For the time being, I believe I'm going to put any "treatment" on hold for my feet since they don't really bother me and I'm happy with the shoes I am able to wear comfortably. However, I could definitely see myself going in to try the foot wear and possibly hypo cure options in the future. How relieving it was to see that surgery isn't the only option for this sort of thing.

Medical Foot Solutions appear to have very high standards, so anyone in the same shoes as me (sorry, pun intended!) might be interested in having them on the list for future reference.