Bunions are painful foot deformities that occur when the joint on the big toe sticks out from the foot, states the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The deformity can be worsened by wearing shoes that fit poorly or squeeze the toes too tightly. Bunions affect about 55 percent of women in the U.S. Though sometimes surgery is required to correct the foot deformity and get rid of the bunion, you can often avoid surgery with a few simple steps to take better care of your feet.
Step 1
Favor your feet with more comfortable shoes. Toss those pointy, narrow high heels in favor of comfy shoes that offer plenty of room in the toes. You'll also want to choose shoes with a flat heel to avoid pressure and weight pinching the toes.
Step 2
Pad the bunion to prevent aggravation. Invest in some bunion pads--either from your podiatrist or your local drugstore-- and cover the bunion when you're wearing shoes. This will help ease pain and aggravation of the bunion.
Step 3
Ice it down. Bunions can become painfully inflamed, and cooling down the heat with an ice pack a couple of times a day can help relieve the pain of a bunion.
Step 4
Treat it with medication and orthotics. Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce pain and inflammation of bunions, making it more comfortable for you to walk around. You can also get some orthotic inserts from your podiatrist to help support your foot and alleviate pressure on the bunion.
Step 5
Stay off your feet. If running or standing up for a long time causes your bunions to flare, take steps to avoid those activities. Protect your feet as much as you can to keep bunion pain at bay.
Step 6
Consider corticosteroid injections. Sometimes, the sac of fluid in the big toe joint called the bursa can become inflamed. An injection of corticosteroids can help ease that inflammation and alleviate bunion pain.
Step 7
Know when it's time to deal with surgery. If you've tried all of these methods but still can't get relief from your bunion pain, it may be time to consider surgery. While surgery is rarely required to treat a bunion, it may be the best option for some people. Talk to your podiatrist about the best way for you to find relief for your feet.
Tips and Warnings
- Do your best to prevent bunions by always wearing comfortable, wide-toe shoes.
- Don't deal with bunion pain or try to treat them on your own--see a podiatrist for advice.
Things You'll Need
- Wide-toe shoes
- Bunion pads
- NSAID medications
- Corticosteroids
