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October 2025

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 00:00

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

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A sedentary lifestyle may be linked to numerous health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure.  For these individuals, it may be necessary to increase the amount of time standing during the day. This may be helpful in easing potential back problems as well as improving posture and strength.  There are many ways to incorporate standing throughout the work day, such as portioning your lunch time to include walking.  Meetings that consist of walking instead of sitting around a table may be beneficial as well. Standing desks may be another option, which can help increase alertness and therefore increase productivity.  Another helpful habit to acquire is using the stairs instead of an elevator, in addition to parking your car further away from the building you are entering to promote walking. If you are experiencing foot problems from sitting all day at work, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Bunions in adolescents can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty finding comfortable shoes. When conservative care such as padding, footwear changes, and orthotics does not provide relief, a precise surgical approach may be considered. Advances in minimally invasive foot surgery now allow podiatrists to correct the alignment of the big toe through very small incisions. Using specialized instruments, the bone can be gently repositioned to restore proper balance and relieve pressure on surrounding joints. This technique typically results in less discomfort, minimal scarring, and a faster recovery compared to traditional procedures. Each case is carefully evaluated to ensure the best outcome while allowing for continued growth and activity. If you are a young person or the parent or a young person struggling with bunion pain or deformity, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist experienced in minimally invasive foot correction who can determine if this type of foot surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Pain on the top of the foot can be caused by injuries, stress fractures, or tendonitis, each bringing its own set of symptoms and concerns. Injuries like sprains or impacts can cause immediate swelling, bruising, and sharp pain. Stress fractures, often due to overuse or repetitive activity, may cause a dull ache that worsens with walking or running. Tendonitis, particularly affecting the extensor tendons, those from the front of the leg to the toes, can lead to tenderness, inflammation, and discomfort when flexing the foot. The pain may feel sharp, throbbing, or achy and may make wearing shoes or bearing weight difficult. A podiatrist can accurately diagnose the cause through a detailed exam, imaging studies, such as X-rays or an MRI, and an assessment of activity levels and footwear. Treatment may involve rest, bracing, orthotics, or medication. In more severe cases, immobilization or surgical options may be considered. To avoid complications and restore comfort, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Richard DiMario from Maine. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Tuesday, 07 October 2025 00:00

Bunions and How to Manage Them

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, causing the joint to protrude outward and the toe to angle toward the others. Bunions develop due to pressure on the joint over time, often from wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes, abnormal gait, or foot structure. Genetics play a significant role, as inherited foot shapes, such as flat feet or low arches, can increase susceptibility. Risk factors include high activity levels, wearing narrow footwear, and age. A podiatrist can help by assessing the severity of the bunion, recommending custom orthotics, providing footwear guidance, and discussing treatment options, including conservative care or surgical correction. If you have developed a bunion, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

  • Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
  • Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

  • Redness and inflammation
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Callus or corns on the bump
  • Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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