How To Alleviate Bunion Pain

Fewer foot problems cause more pain and discomfort than bunions. The good news is that bunion pain can usually be alleviated at home.

That’s not to say that other steps may need to be taken, such as surgery, to fully resolve the problem.

Minimally Invasive Alternative Bunion Surgery

But if you need to get on your feet and make it through the day without being in agonizing pain, you can take some simple steps to make that happen.

Bunion Pain – What Exactly Are Bunions?

A bunion develops into a crooked joint that sticks out at the base of the big toe.

When the big toe’s bones become misaligned, the toe can angle towards the second toe and even wind up tucked beneath or on top of the second toe.

This pressure on the big toe then causes the big toe joint to push outward from your foot.

Cosmetic Functional Bunion Surgery

People develop bunions due to heredity, congenital deformities, or injury. Left untreated, bunions usually get worse over time.

All the pressure put on your foot by standing or walking can lead to inflammation and swelling which makes the bunion bigger and that much more uncomfortable.

How to Alleviate Bunion Pain

Fortunately, a few purchases and a few moments of home treatment can help get you back in stride and keep your bunion pain to a minimum:

  1. Wear loose or open shoes. Bunion pain can be made even worse when the foot is confined to a tight-fitting or narrow shoe. The pressure and friction caused by restrictive footwear or high heels which push the toes forward won’t do you any favors. Switch to loose or open-toed shoes whenever possible and try to choose shoes made of leather rather than synthetic materials.
  2. Put Ice On It. Col helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Put an ice pack or even a bag of frozen peas in a washcloth and apply to the toe joint for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to reduce the pain-causing inflammation.
  3. Use anti-inflammatory meds. To further help reduce swelling and control pain, pick up some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. For severe bunions, a cortisone injection directly into the joint can be a more powerful way to reduce inflammation.
  4. Wear Protective Pads. Insert a gel or moleskin pad into your shoes to cushion the bunion and protect it from friction.
  5. Use Custom Orthotics. Molded shoe inserts which you can buy at your local pharmacy can help correct the mechanics that cause a bunion to form. Custom orthotics made specifically for your feet may be the next step if OTC products don’t work.

At JAWS podiatry, we always prefer non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments for bunions and other foot and ankle problems whenever possible and effective. But some severe bunions may require surgery to be fully resolved.

Bunion surgery involves removing or realigning the soft tissue and bone in the area to bring the joint back into its correct alignment.

In order to keep the bones in place, small screws, plates, or wires may be inserted as part of the surgery.

Watch below as Dr. Abraham Wagner surgically removes a bunion for patient.

Call JAWS podiatry Today to Schedule an Appointment

At JAWS podiatry in Hollywood, Florida, we utilize the most advanced and non-invasive techniques to reduce pain and speed recovery for individuals suffering from foot and ankle problems, including bunions.

If you’d like to learn more about the innovative and effective treatments we provide or how we can help you with your foot and ankle issues, please call us today at (954) 922-7333 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

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