In short,
- Bunions are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, causing pain.
- Wider shoes, orthotics, and pain relievers can help with bunion symptoms.
- Surgery might be needed if other treatments don’t work.
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe, causing pain. This guide will discuss what causes bunions, treatments without surgery, surgery options, and when to see a foot doctor.
What Causes Bunions?
Bunions happen when the bones in the front of your foot move out of place. This puts pressure on the joint at the base of your big toe, making it stick out. Over time, the area around the joint can get inflamed, causing pain, swelling, and redness.
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes bunions, but things like genes, foot shape, shoes, and some health problems can play a role. Knowing these things can help you prevent or manage bunions.
Risk Factors for Bunion Development
There are many factors that can make you more susceptible to bunions. Knowing these can help you take care of your feet.
- Footwear:Tight shoes, especially high heels, can cause bunions by squeezing your toes. This pushes your big toe inward.
- Genetics:If bunions run in your family, you’re more likely to get them. This means foot shape can be passed down.
- Medical Conditions:Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can raise your risk of bunions because it causes joint problems. These conditions can weaken the foot.
- Foot Structure:Some people are born with feet that make them more likely to get bunions. Flat feet can also lead to bunions.
- Activities:Activities that put a lot of stress on your feet, like ballet or running, can increase your risk.
Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment Options
Many treatments can help with bunion pain without surgery. These focus on taking pressure off the toe, giving support, easing swelling, and improving how your foot works. These treatments can make you feel better without surgery.
Keep in mind that these treatments won’t get rid of the bunion, but they can help a lot with pain and how your foot works. They are often the first step in dealing with bunion symptoms.
Managing Bunion Pain Without Surgery
Here are some things you can do to alleviate bunion pain:
- Wear appropriate footwear: Wear shoes with a wide toe area that don’t squeeze your feet. Find shoes with good support that spread out pressure on your foot. Don’t wear pointy shoes or high heels, which can make bunions worse.
- Use bunion pads or cushions: These protect the bunion and stop it from rubbing against your shoes, which cuts down on pain. You can find them at most drugstores.
- Orthotics: Arch supports can help line up your foot and take stress off the bunion. A foot doctor can help you find the best ones for you. Orthotics can help fix problems with how your foot moves that lead to bunions.
- Ice: Put ice packs on the bunion for 15-20 minutes at a time, a few times a day, to reduce swelling and pain. Always wrap the ice pack in a towel so it doesn’t hurt your skin.
- Medications: Pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help with pain. These are NSAIDs, and they lower swelling and pain. Talk to your doctor before taking new medicines, especially if you have other health problems or take other medicines.
Other options include stretching to make the toe joint more flexible and shots of corticosteroids to reduce swelling. Stretching can help keep the joint from getting stiff. Corticosteroid shots can help with pain for a short time, but they don’t fix the problem.
Considering Bunion Surgical Removal
If other treatments don’t help enough, surgical removal, called a bunionectomy, might be an option. Surgery fixes the bone alignment, eases pain, and helps your foot work normally again.
Talk to a foot doctor to see if surgery is right for you. They can examine your foot and discuss the pros and cons of a surgical bunion removal.
There are different kinds of bunion surgeries. The best one for you depends on how bad the bunion is, your age, how active you are, and other things. Your surgeon will discuss your choices with you. The goal is to ease pain and help you walk and do your daily activities without pain.
What to Expect During Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery usually means cutting and moving the bone to fix the problem. Sometimes, the surgeon might also need to fix the ligaments and tendons around the toe joint to make it stable. The exact surgery depends on the bunion. How long it takes to recover depends on the surgery and how fast you heal.
After surgery, you’ll probably need to wear a special boot or cast for a few weeks to protect your foot while it heals. This helps the bone stay in the right place and prevents problems. You might also need physical therapy to get your strength and flexibility back. Physical therapy can help you move better, reduce swelling, and walk normally again.
Follow your surgeon’s directions carefully after surgery. This will help you heal and avoid problems. This includes keeping the area clean and dry, taking pain medicine, and going to all your appointments.
When Should You Seek Professional Care for a Bunion?
If you have bunion pain that doesn’t go away and makes it hard to do things, see a foot doctor, called a podiatrist. Getting help early can keep the bunion from getting worse and ease your pain. A podiatrist can check your foot and tell you the best way to treat it.
See a doctor as soon as possible if you experience
- Severe pain that makes it hard to walk or stand for long.
- Numbness or burning in your toe, which could mean a nerve problem.
- Infection or sores on the bunion.
- The bunion is getting bigger or more deformed.
- Other treatments haven’t helped with the pain.
Professional Care for Bunion in Southern Texas
Don’t let bunion pain stop you from living your life. The surgeons at The Podiatry Group of South Texas offer the most advanced level of podiatric health care throughout southern Texas.
Call The Podiatry Group of South Texas at (210) 227-8700 or use our online appointment request form to set up a consultation to discuss your bunion pain or other foot problems.
