How to Treat Bunions in More Ways Than One

Bunions are painful, bony bumps that develop on the inside of the feet near the joint in the big toe or near the base of the little toe. Several treatment options are available for bunions depending on their severity and how they affect a person’s quality of life. When a bunion develops, it can change the shape of the foot. The bone joint begins to stick out, forming the bunion. It can be excruciatingly painful and cause nerve damage in the big toe if it's big enough.

This article will discuss the treatment options associated with early bunions (or bunionettes) as well as complementary therapies and surgical options for those with severe and debilitating bunions.

Bunions and Overlapping Toes

First-Line Treatment for Early Bunions (and Bunionettes)

Bunions do not go away on their own, so finding a therapy that helps to relieve symptoms is the best way to treat yours. The first-line treatment for bunions does not act as a cure but can relieve some of the symptoms.

Typically, treatment focuses on improving pain levels and can include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
• Topical pain gels
• Shoe inserts
• Wearing proper footwear that leaves adequate toe space
• Toe spacers, which help to restore the big toe to its original position

Complementary Bunion Therapies

The correctors mentioned above are one example of complementary bunion therapy. That said, there are other things a person can do regarding their lifestyle that can help improve bunion pain.

Some lifestyle changes that may help include:

• Choosing the proper footwear: Choosing shoes with a wide and rounded toe provides space for the foot to breathe and relieve pain.
• Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help with pain and swelling.
• Orthotic inserts: Sole-shaped inserts that relieve pressure on the bunion.

Bunion Self-Care Suggestions

Self-care is an integral part of bunion treatment because it helps to reduce the risk of the bunion worsening over time and helps to keep pain at bay.

Self-care starts with wearing the right shoes and avoiding the wrong ones, such as high heels or other pointed and small-toe shoes. The best shoes to wear for self-care include:

• Sandals
• Athletic shoes with a wide sole and toe box
• Shoes made from soft leather
• Shoes that keep the heel in place with a sturdy backing
• Pads or bunion guards, along with insoles

Other self-care methods for when the bunion hurts the most include:

• Soaking your feet in warm water
• Ice packs or a heating pad to the area to reduce pain and inflammation
• Whirlpools
• Foot massage to relieve pain 

Surgical Bunion Options for Severely Inflamed Bunions

Although surgery is the only way to cure a bunion, it is often reserved for the most severe cases that affect a person’s ability to participate in day-to-day activities. Surgery will correct the bunion and help reduce pain.

There are several types of surgery, each of which applies to a different scenario. A person’s overall level of health, age, physical activity, and how badly the bunion has damaged the joint and foot all factor into consideration before choosing surgery.

Type of surgery is determined by identifying the cause of the bunion via X-ray and physical examination. Some possible surgical options include:

• Removing the part of the bone that has enlarged in the foot and realigning tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the bone for mild bunions.
• Cutting into the affected bone and moving it to where it’s supposed to be for a moderate bunion.
• Removing the enlarged bone, cutting into the remaining bone, and realigning it. This surgery for severe bunions also includes moving ligaments and tendons back into their proper positions.
• Joint damage that occurs because of a severe bunion may be irreversible, so surgery may involve removing the damaged parts and fusing the bones.

What Helps With Bunion Pain While Walking?

Pain while walking is a common complaint among people with bunions. Because of that, it can make it difficult to continue with daily activities that you can perform before the bunion develops. While walking, the best thing you can do to reduce pain is to wear the right shoes. This will give your foot ample room, reducing the pressure on the bunion, and thus, the pain. Ice and over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typical options for managing pain.

Bunion Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another complementary treatment that people with bunions can utilize. Foot exercises and specific movements can:

• Reduce foot pain
• Restore your walking abilities
• Increase the function of the big toe

Specific physical therapy exercises that can help include:

• Shortening the foot by lifting your toes back and up toward you without curling them
• Lifting and spreading your toes with your heel and front foot planted on the ground
• Raising your heel with your knees bent, putting pressure on your big toe

You should perform each exercise for five seconds and repeat them until the muscles are too tired to continue.

Summary

Bunions can be excruciating to cope with and affect a person's day-to-day life. When large enough, they can even lead to issues with mobility and walking. Though surgery is the only way to cure a bunion, other treatment options can improve pain and mobility.

Because bunions can worsen over time, the best thing you can do is see a healthcare provider if you notice one developing. The quicker you begin treatment, the easier it will be to avoid the worst type of bunions and bunion surgery.