Med may provide pain relief after surgery for common foot problem

One of the most common foot problems in developed countries is the bunion.

A bunion bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. This puts pressure on the toe joint and causes pain.  The toe is also forced inwards, towards your other toes, causing crowding.

Although bunions run in families, they are often caused by shoes that are too tight or ill-fitting. And, as the bunion grows, it becomes harder to find well-fitting, comfortable shoes.

To have the bunion removed, a surgery, a bunionectomy, is done. However, although many people who have had the surgery say it was worth it, it is often a painful surgery. The surgeon removes swollen tissue to make room to straighten the toe joint and may fuse the bones in the joint. According to the MayoClinic.com, “Surgery isn’t recommended unless a bunion causes you frequent pain. A bunionectomy — like other types of surgery — is not without risk. Additionally, you may still have pain or you could develop a new bunion in your big toe joint after surgery. Consider trying conservative treatment before having a bunionectomy.”

For those who do have to have surgery, a new medication is entering phase 3 trials and it is looking quite promising in reducing post-bunionectomy pain. The medication, Adlea, is administered straight to the surgical site and – up to now – has shown to provide good pain relief.

You can read more about the study here: Anesiva Commences Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of Adlea(TM) For Reducing Post Surgical Pain Following Bunionectomy.

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