Treating Your Bunions
Have you felt a new bump on your foot, near the big toe joint? Maybe over time, you’ve noticed that your feet look a bit different. Or perhaps, you have started to feel pain in your big toe joint, especially when you have shoes on. Worst of all, you may feel pain, have a deformed big toe joint, and are unable to fit into most shoes. These may be signs that you have bunions on your feet.
They are small bony protrusions that develop from your big toe joint. Because of the new growth, the bones begin to shift and your big toe begins to point toward your smaller toes instead of straight ahead.
The causes are varied – inherited traits, injury, arthritis, and posture can affect bunion development. Women are more likely to develop bunions because of the types of those they wear – especially shoes that narrow into a point in the front, or ones that make you put excessive weight on the big toe joint. Pressure and friction cause a new growth and a shift in the big toe joint.
If you relieve symptoms when bunions first begin to develop, it can slow down the bunion growth and reduce pain. Try changing to comfortable shoes with a large toebox. This will reduce pressure on the big toe joint as well as friction that could be irritating the area. If there is pain and inflammation, NSAIDs and ice treatment can help relieve acute pain.
When bunions cause you more than mild pain and discomfort, you may need to buy orthotic inserts or orthotic shoes that give space to your big toe joint, as well as provide support so that less pressure is on the joint. There are also over-the-counter bunion pads, toe separators, and splints that you can purchase and wear in your shoes or while sleeping. If your podiatrist deems it necessary, a cortisone shot may be administered in the office to relieve pain and inflammation.
For bunions with severe deformity and pain, surgery may be required to fix the problem. The procedure will involve removing the bony growth and realigning the big toe.
Not all bunions are alike. To find the best treatment for your specific condition, contact us at PerfectFeetCare Podiatry Centers. Our podiatrists will assess your feet. Make an appointment with us at our Miami (305-225-4277) or Hialeah (305-246-7437) offices today
