Bunion Treatments Just in Time for Halloween
Halloween is just a few days away, and if you suffer from bunion pain, you may not be looking forward to it as much as the kids. Bunions affect up to one-third of Americans, so if the idea of walking around the neighborhood for a few hours has your toes already aching, know that you’re not alone.
The good news is you can perform plenty of bunion treatments at home to alleviate your pain and spend more time enjoying the holiday with your kids.
What are Bunions?
A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, happens when the bone or tissue at the base of your big toes shifts out of place. This results in a large, bony bump (the bunion) that protrudes out the side of the foot. Over time, the front toe begins shifting closer to the smaller toes of the foot, causing the bump to become more prominent. Bunions can cause a range of symptoms that include:
- Swelling or redness around the big toe
- Corns or calluses that can be restricting
- Pain when placing weight on your foot
- Limited mobility in your toe
What Are Some Treatments for Bunions?
While bunions can be a pain (quite literally), there are some great remedies you can do at home to alleviate any discomfort and have a great time during spooky season.
Wear Roomier Shoes
Most of the pain associated with bunions stems from wearing tight shoes that continually rub against the skin protruding from the base of your toe. Wearing wider shoes is an easy fix for this problem. Find a comfortable, wide-toed shoe that’s flat to the ground. This should make walking far easier and put less friction against your bunion. There are some shoe brands on the market that are made specifically for people with bunions.
Try Inserts
Shoe inserts are an easy and cost-effective bunion treatment that alters existing shoes and makes them more bunion-friendly. The right shoe insert should have plenty of arch support and evenly distribute weight across the foot, taking pressure off the toes.
Professional orthotics can be a bit pricier, but they are the best way to get the best fit out of our shoes – and get the best pain relief in the process.
Wear Foot Accessories for Bunion Relief
There are many foot accessories on the market that are designed to readjust your front toe or relieve pressure off of it to provide pain relief. Here are a few options:
- Bunion gel pads are a cushion you can wear that covers the bunion and reduces friction between it and your shoe.
- Bunion sleeves are an item you can slip onto your big toe. These also protect the bunion from rubbing against the inside of your shoe but provide more surface area and are generally more secure than pads.
- Toe spacers are small pads you place between your big toe and second toe. These devices work to straighten the big toe, which will prevent it from rubbing against your other toes.
Take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, provide pain relief and help to reduce swelling. NSAIDs take about an hour or so to take effect, so take the recommended dosage an hour before you go trick-or-treating to help reduce pain when you’re out and about.
Use Hot and Cold Therapies
It’s likely you’ll feel some pain when you get home, so applying something warm or cold to your feet can do wonders.
Warm temperatures are ideal for increasing blood flow and relaxing your joints and muscles. Run a bit of warm water into a wide tub or container and soak them for a few minutes when you get home.
Cold temperatures are best for bringing down swelling and reducing inflammation from friction. It can also provide some pain relief as well. You can either run some cold water in a shallow container and soak your feet or try icing your bunion for about ten minutes. Enjoy some candy while you’re at it!
Tired of Bunion Pain? Surgery Might Be Right for You.
A bunionectomy is a surgical procedure where an experienced orthopedic surgeon will attempt to shift the toe back into place and remove the existing bunion.
In some instances, the surgeon may only want to remove your bunion by making a small incision on the side of your foot, then chiseling away the bone, smoothing it over before closing the incision.
This procedure is only needed when your bunion pain becomes debilitating. If you find that your bunion pain is limiting your everyday mobility or causing you too much pain, schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic specialists. Visit us online or give us a call today at (212)-737-3301.
