What to Do If You Get a Bunion

Bunions can be a foot condition that can cause pain and swelling. They occur when the big toe bends inwards and forces the joint at the base of the toe to protrude outwards. They can be caused by genetics, inflammatory conditions, improper footwear, or other factors. You may be able to treat your bunion using at-home remedies or conservative treatment options. Or you can get it surgically removed at our foot and ankle institute to eliminate it.

Bunions can happen when your big toe is pushed out of its natural alignment. This results in the formation of a bony bump. They can cause pain and swelling, making it more difficult to find proper footwear. There are several things you can do to ease the discomfort of a bunion, including:

Choose Comfortable Footwear

To ease bunion pain, you can first change your shoes. Choose shoes with a wide-toe box to give your feet extra room. Footwear with low heels and made from flexible materials can also reduce pressure on your bunion.

Use Shoe Inserts

Padded shoe inserts can alleviate pressure by helping distribute constraints evenly. This can ease your pain and help prevent the bunion from getting worse. Our skilled podiatrists can prescribe custom orthotic inserts that provide support and reduce pain.

Apply Ice

Applying ice to your bunion can reduce inflammation and relieve soreness. You can do this every day, or you can do it when it becomes inflamed. Your foot specialist can help determine the length of time when applying ice. Elevating your foot can also be an effective way to reduce swelling.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation and help manage pain. We may also recommend cortisone injections. These injections can help relieve irritation and pain in specific body parts, such as your foot.

Surgery

Depending on the severity of your bunion, our podiatrists may recommend surgical interventions. We may only recommend surgery if your foot pain limits your daily activities or if more conservative treatment measures have not helped. Surgery can help realign the joint at the base of the big toe, correct the misalignment of your foot bones, and relieve pain. We use the most updated techniques in the industry, and depending on your specific situation, we may be able to treat your bunion in one of the following ways surgically:

• Repairing the ligaments and tendons around the big toe.
• Make small cuts into the bones in your toe to realign the joint.
• Removing the arthritic joint surfaces and then inserting screws, plates, or wires to hold the bones together until they heal.

Horizon Foot and Ankle Institute Can Remove Bunions

Bunions may often be uncomfortable and painful. You can treat your symptoms by changing your shoes or icing your foot. Removing your bunion can reduce or eliminate the pain by realigning your joints and your bones. At Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute, we provide treatment of all pathology of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. We want to get you on your feet as soon as possible. Contact us today if you have a painful bunion that you want to remove.