Like approximately one-third of American adults, Lloyd, 63, had a bunion — a painful, bony bulge at the base of the big toe that occurs when the joint slips out of alignment. Older adults are more likely to develop the bothersome bumps, and bunions tend to affect more women than men, research shows.

Some people can find relief from the pain and pressure bunions can cause with over-the-counter medications, roomier shoes and padding that acts as a barrier. There are also medical procedures, like the one Lloyd had, that in some cases can help to fix the problem.

AARP asked four orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons to explain who might benefit from bunion surgery and what to expect from the outpatient procedure. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering getting rid of a bunion.

IS IT TIME?

You may be a bunion surgery candidate if your bunion foot hurts a lot and limits your daily activities such as walking, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says. Maybe your big toe is inflamed, swollen, stiff or “drifting” toward other toes — even crossing over — and pain medication isn’t helping with symptom relief.

If you’re hoping to stave off surgery — and know that like with any surgery, there are risks to bunion removal, which is why AAOS stresses that surgery should be reserved for deformity with pain, and not for cosmetic reasons — try using protective pads that cushion the painful area (you can find these in drug stores).

Switching shoes can also help. Opt for something with a wide- or open-toe box and a soft upper fabric, says Carol Frey, M.D., codirector of West Coast Sports Medicine/UCLA Sports Medicine Fellowship, in Manhattan Beach, California — think clogs, moccasins and sandals. There are also shoe inserts that can help to distribute the pressure more evenly in your feet when you walk.

Again, if these measures do not work and your quality of life is impacted, ask your doctor whether surgery can help.

Sweets get a bad rap because they tend to be higher in sugar and carbs, and lower in other nutrients like protein and fiber. While pure sugar — including honey, agave and maple syrup — and refined carbs like white flour cause blood sugar to skyrocket, adding in other nutrients can slow the breakdown of glucose and blunt those effects. That’s why most fruits, which contain fiber, have less of an impact on blood sugar than say, a soda. So your first rule for eating dessert if you have diabetes is to seek out desserts that have some whole grains, protein or healthy fats — or a combination of all three — to balance the sugar and carbs.

Indulge on a schedule

By the same token, having dessert soon after a meal can help dilute the blood-sugar-spiking effects of eating sugary foods on their own, says Tohan. (Drinking water has the same effect, to a lesser degree.) If you know you’re going to have dessert, you can even skip the carbs on your plate and double up on vegetables or lean protein instead.

Try individual-size treats

Portion size is important as well. Try to keep desserts to around 200 calories or under, with carbohydrates in the 15- to 30-gram range, Tohan suggests. Sweets that come in individual servings, like ice cream bars vs an entire pint or half-gallon, can make such portioning more automatic.