Manly Vale Clinic
Shop 1, 228 Condamine Street, Manly Vale NSW 2093
(02) 8966 9300
Sydney CBD Clinic
Suite 217, 111 Harrington Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
(02) 8072 7278

Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment Sydney

Sydney CBD & Manly Vale

Alternative foot solutions offer gentle, hands on treatment for bunions without the need for surgery or orthotics. We provide treatment and care for communities throughout Sydney including Fairlight, Queenscliff, Brookvale, North Balgowlah, Chatswood, Drummoyne, Summer Hill, Beaconsfield and Manly from our two clinic locations in Sydney CBD and Manly Vale.

Benefits of Non-Surgical Treatment for Bunions

  • Gentle hands on technique
  • Addresses underlying cause
  • Very effective in improving the alignment of bunions without surgery
  • Very little too no risk compared to surgery
  • Can remain active during treatment
  • No footwear restrictions
  • Strengthens muscles in foot which help to correct the bunion long term
  • Long term change

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How our non-surgical treatment can fix your bunions

Foot Mobilisation Therapy

In our many years of experience at Alternative Foot Solutions, foot mobilisation is the most effective way to treat a bunion while also fixing the underlying issues that are causing it. Foot mobilisation is a hands-on approach that is all about straightening the big toe through gentle and steady realignment therapy, which helps strengthen the big toe, the joint, and the muscles in and around that area of the foot.

The therapy involves gently and painlessly taking the joints of the feet through their full range of motion, which helps to gradually correct their positioning. Foot mobilisation strengthens the entire foot, and in most cases, completely resolves any misalignment issues.

alternative to bunion surgery sydney

Home Treatment & Exercises

Once a foot mobilisation exercise routine is established, we’ll teach the patient some additional podiatry exercises they can do at home or in their spare time. The exercises target some of the larger muscles of the foot which, when strengthened, help to support the affected toe and surrounding tissues. This allows the area to heal and realign naturally. And so the foot realigns long term.

In both foot mobilisation therapy and home treatment plans, exercises might include:

  • toe separation
  • heel raises
  • toe rotations
3 great bunion exercises

Home exercises are conveniently designed so that they can be completed in five minutes, and often while doing other activities (like showering, sitting, or watching TV). However, exercises aren’t the only way we educate and empower our patients to reverse the effects toe joint misalignment. In addition to the home exercises, there are also a number of ways to ensure that the condition doesn’t worsen after the official treatment concludes, or return years later.

Foot Mobilisation Therapy (FMT) vs Orthotics

  • FMT is corrective where as an orthotic cannot improve the alignment of a big toe
  • FMT changes the alignment of your foot without being reliant on an external device
  • FMT strengthens the muscles that correct the alignment of a bunion
  • Studies show that the benefits of an orthotics on a bunion is minimal
  • FMT does not limit footwear like an orthotic device that needs lace up shoes in most cases
alternative to bunion surgery manly vale
alternative to bunion surgery sydney CBD

How to Prevent Bunions

The future prevention of bunions is another key advantage of foot mobilisation therapies. Once the misalignment within the foot is addressed and the foot is strengthened, the biomechanics of your foot is changed long term as a result you are far less prone to getting a bunion or progression of a bunion. Your walking and running pattern do change long term which has a positive effect long term.

Orthopedic Surgery

In some very advanced cases (particularly in you have a large bony lump), surgery needs to be considered as a bunion treatment option. However, we generally find that surgery is avoidable and we won’t recommend a surgical approach until we are 100% sure that the issue cannot be resolved with foot mobilisation and physical therapy.

Surgery should be the absolute last resort. Recent research has shown that surgical outcomes can be poor, with over 30 % of bunion surgeries considered unsuccessful by the patients. That’s because most surgical interventions don’t address some of the reasons why the bunion is occuring in the first place. When bunion surgery is performed on an adolescent whose yet to reach skeletal maturity, there is a strong chance the bunion will return.

In fact, research that shows just how effective conservative management is throught foot mobilisation.

2009 JEDYNAK T, Treating Hallux Abducto Valgus (Bunions) Conservatively Through Foot Mobilisation Techniques and Exercise Therapy Podiatry Now Oct p12-­‐15.

Our non-surgical bunion treatment vs. orthotics

Myths & Misconceptions

Myth: Surgery is the only way to truly fix a bunion

Not true. Research (2009 FERRARI et al, Interventions for treating hallux valgus (abductovalgus) and bunions Cochrane Library) has shown that surgical outcomes can be poor, with over 30% of bunion surgeries considered unsuccessful by the patients. In the vast majority of cases we recommend nonsurgical treatment for bunions. It is usually only required if the bony lump gets too big or if the joint has degenerated too much.

Myth: Bunions cannot be reversed

Yes, they can. We do it all the time with noninvasive techniques like foot mobilisation. That can correct the alignment of the big toe.

Check out this before and after picture from a study using foot mobilisation to treat a bunion, showing how you can successfully reverse a bunion and straighten your toe.

Myth: Bunions are similar to gout

They are not all that similar. Gout is the build-up of uric acid that affects the joints and is very commonly noticed in the 1st MTPJ on the foot. Gout and bunions aren’t really related to each other aside from the fact that they affect the same joint and are commonly misdiagnosed for each other.

FAQs

What are the benefits of non-surgical treatment for bunions?

Non-surgical bunion treatment consists of a gentle hands on approach to address the underlying cause of your bunion by strengthening the muscles in your foot. It very effective in improving the alignment of bunions and provides long term results. During treatment you can maintain your normal activity and there is no restriction on footwear.

How is Foot Mobilisation Therapy used to treat bunions?

Foot mobilisation is a hands-on approach that is all about straightening the big toe through gentle and steady realignment therapy, which helps strengthen the big toe, the joint, and the muscles in and around that area of the foot.

How do home exercise help treat a bunion?

At home exercises target some of the larger muscles of the foot which, when strengthened, help to support the affected toe and surrounding tissues. This allows the area to heal and realign naturally. And so the foot realigns long term.

When is bunion surgery necessary?

Surgery should be the absolute last resort. Recent research has shown that surgical outcomes can be poor, with over 30 % of bunion surgeries considered unsuccessful by the patients. That’s because most surgical interventions don’t address some of the reasons why the bunion is occurring in the first place. When bunion surgery is performed on an adolescent whose yet to reach skeletal maturity, there is a strong chance the bunion will return.

New Patient Bunion Assessment

Only $25* Usually $100

*Fully Claimable on your private health insurance