There is no cure for bunions, but there are things you can do to relieve the pain they cause. They are bony lumps that form on the side of your feet.
Bunions should be checked
Bunions are characterized by the following symptoms:
- The big toes of your feet have hard lumps.
- You are pointing your big toe toward your other toes.
- Red or darker skin surrounding the bunion. Hard or swollen skin.
Wearing shoes and walking may cause you to have pain on your sides or bottoms of your feet.
Self-care for bunions
If you have bunions, you cannot get rid of them or stop them getting worse, but you can relieve the pain in the following ways:
Take action by:
- Make sure to wear wide, low-heeled shoes with soft soles
- Wrap a tea towel around a frozen pea bag and place it on the bunion for up to 5 minutes
- You can buy bunion pads in pharmacies to stop shoes from rubbing on your bunion
- Ibuprofen or paracetamol are the best medications
- Overweight people should lose weight
AVOID:
- Shoes with pointed toes or high heels should be avoided
Consult your doctor if:
- I’ve tried home remedies for a few weeks, but the pain has not improved
- Your normal activities are being hindered by pain
- There is an increase in the severity of your bunions
- Diabetes can make foot problems worse
GP and podiatrist treatment for bunions
You can ask your doctor or podiatrist about:
- Symptom-relieving activities
- There are insoles (orthotics), toe spacers and toe supports (splints) you can buy or have made for bunion pain relief.
If your bunions are painful or affecting your life, your GP may refer you to a surgeon.
The purpose of foot surgery is not just to improve the appearance of your feet.
Bunions can be treated surgically
Bunions can only be removed through surgery.
Surgery for bunions: what happens?
Recovering from surgery can take some time.
It is usually necessary to:
- Take at least two weeks off from walking
- Take a six- to eight-week break from driving
- Take six to twelve weeks off from work
- Take a six-month break from sports
Immediately following surgery:
- There may be a weakening or stiffening of your toes
- There may be some imperfections in their alignment
- You may still need to wear wide, comfortable shoes because your feet might still be a little wide
After surgery, bunions can sometimes return.
Bunions are not always preventable
Bunions are not known to have a cause. It is not known if there is anything you can do to prevent them.
Here are some suggestions:
- Don’t forget to check your shoe size and toe room
- High heels and pointy toe shoes should be avoided
You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.
📲 949-588-8833
🏢 24331 El Toro Rd, Suite 370 Laguna Woods CA 92637
🏢Irvine Medical Arts Building 113 Waterworks Way, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92618