Treatment for bunions is basically focused on finding shoes that fit right with plenty of room in the toes. These are called wide toe box shoes. Surgery is generally not necessary, but may be considered when the bunion causes pain or disability.

Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a condition in which the toe bends upward like a claw and becomes rigidly fixed in the bent position. It often affects the second toe, but may affect several toes. Additionally, a small area of thickened skin may develop on the top of the affected toe due to pressure placed on it from the shoe. Hammer toe may be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit properly. The condition also occurs in people with muscle and nerve damage.

Often, if pain is not a problem, there is no treatment necessary to correct hammer toe. A felt pad may be used to protect the joint from the shoe and can help ease some of the discomfort. However, surgical treatment may be considered to correct the toe by straightening it out and causing it to become rigid in the new, straightened position.

Flat Foot
A flat foot, where the arch of the foot is dropped, is usually considered a variation of normal. Sometimes in children, there may be an abnormality in the separation of the bones as they form in the foot. There may be a connection between some of the bones of the foot that should not be there. This often causes a stiff flat foot. In general, children have flat feet until they are approximately five years old. If the foot remains flat into adulthood and it is not very stiff, this is probably the result of genetics. Older adults may experience "fallen arch syndrome," a situation where muscles and tendons that support the arch stop working and cause the arch to collapse.

Treatment for flat foot may involve special shoes, arch supports, and exercises to strengthen ligaments and muscles. There are surgical treatments that can be accomplished if foot support is unsuccessful in alleviating the pain associated with acquired flat foot or fallen arch. Surgeries are quite extensive and require prolonged casting, but can be quite successful in helping the pain. Most people will respond to a non-operative treatment program.

Heel Spurs
Heel pain when weight is placed on the foot is quite common. The pain may be felt below and behind the heel, resulting from inflammation or irritation of the heel pad, which is fibrous tissue that cushions the foot. X-rays of the foot may reveal a bony protrusion or heel spur.

Many people get relief from changing shoes or adding heel cups, as well as modifying their activities. However, treatment may include resting the feet and applying ice, massage, and stretching. Most often the condition will improve with these measures. Persistent pain may require prescription medication and shoe modification. Steroid injections and walking casts may also be used if the problem continues.

Morton's Neuroma
A neuroma, which is a benign tumor or buildup of nerve tissue, can occur anywhere in the body. Morton's Neuroma, caused by a nerve being pinched at the base of the toes, is quite common, usually causing burning and sore feet.

Treatment often involves simply taking off the shoes occasionally and massaging the painful area. If the condition is particularly bothersome, it may be necessary to inject the area or surgically remove the tissue causing the problem.

Foot Ganglion
A foot ganglion (synovial hernia) is a small, hard nodule associated with a tendon sheath usually on the top of the foot. The nodule fills with synovial fluid which causes it to enlarge, sometimes to a large size.

A foot ganglion may subside without treatment, and then reappear later. Aspiration, which involves extracting the jelly-like fluid with a needle, is most effective. In some instances, surgery may be necessary.