Knowing what a bunion is can help you prevent or treat it if you have it. There are several treatments available, including surgery. However, if you don’t experience pain or swelling, nonsurgical treatments may be enough to manage symptoms. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity. In either case, a qualified doctor will decide which treatment is proper for you. If you are worried about your bunion, see a medical professional.
Symptoms
If you have persistent pain caused by a bunion, it’s best to consult a foot specialist for an accurate diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may recommend an X-ray to help diagnose the condition and determine the best course of treatment. The X-ray can also determine how severe the bunion is. Surgery may be the best option if it’s severe enough to affect your daily life.
Bunions are often caused by injuries to the foot, neuromuscular disorders, or congenital deformities. Women are more likely than men to develop bunions, and long periods of standing or walking may exacerbate the problem. Bunions can cause pain, redness, and swelling around the joint. Over time, they can cause arthritis of the big toe joint or displace the joint of the second toe. It’s essential to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for bunions because even if the symptoms are mild, bunions can progress and lead to severe foot changes.
The most common complication from bunion surgery is a recurrence of the condition. About one-fourth of patients experience a recurrence of the bunion. This is especially common if the bunion surgery removes only the bony prominence and fails to correct the underlying deformity.
Treatments for bunions can include arch supports, padded shoe inserts, and prescription orthotics. Ice can also be used to reduce pain and inflammation. Surgery may be necessary only if your bunion becomes too severe to be treated with nonsurgical methods.
Treatments
There are several treatments for bunions, including ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications. A physician may also perform X-rays to determine the severity of your condition. Custom orthotics, or padded shoe inserts, are also effective ways to reduce pain and inflammation. Some physicians may also prescribe corticosteroid injections, reducing inflammation and relieving pain. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.
Injections of cortisone and steroid drugs, as well as topical anti-inflammatory medications, can help reduce pain and inflammation. However, over time, the cortisone crystals can damage soft tissue and make your bunion worse. So ultimately, these treatments may be less effective than avoiding surgery.
If you want surgery to treat your bunion, your doctor may perform surgery to repair the joint structure. This procedure may involve removing bone and realigning ligaments. It can take six to eight weeks to recover, and you may need crutches to move around afterward. Alternatively, less invasive keyhole surgery may be an option.
Over-the-counter medications are also effective in decreasing pain and swelling. If the swelling prevents you from moving your feet, cortisone injections are another option. They are usually injected into a fluid-filled pad and can reduce swelling. Your doctor will advise if cortisone injections are the best option for your situation.
Preventing bunions
Preventing bunions starts with proper footwear. Choose shoes with a wide-toe box, arch support, and heels no more than two inches. Also, avoid tight-fitting shoes. Your toes need space to breathe, and cramped shoes put more pressure on the big toe joint. In addition to wearing comfortable shoes, you should regularly check your foot health.
You may notice the shape of your feet is changing, indicating that bunions are developing. You can reduce the risk of developing a bunion by strengthening your feet with exercises like picking up objects with your toes. Additionally, you should avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes with pointed toes. Preventing bunions is especially important for women, as their feet tend to develop bunions much more frequently than men. If you notice the development of your bunions in the future, you should seek professional advice.
As mentioned, bunions can cause pain and may interfere with everyday activities. While some of these conditions can be treated using over-the-counter aids, medical treatments and surgical procedures can help you manage your bunions. For the best results, you should prevent them from getting worse in the first place.
Shoes that fit correctly are also essential in preventing bunions. Women are particularly prone to developing them, so make sure you purchase comfortable footwear for your feet. For example, shoes with a wide toe box and a sturdy heel counter are ideal for preventing bunions.
