A bunion is a big, red swollen bump that develops on the side of the foot. It can be quite painful. Walking, wearing shoes, and other regular parts of your day can become very uncomfortable if you have bunions. You don’t have to keep suffering, though. There are lots of things that you can do about bunion pain. Keep reading to learn more.
First Line of Defense for Bunion Pain
If you are suffering from bunion pain, you should rest your feet and apply ice to reduce any swelling or inflammation. One of the most important things that you can do is to stop wearing any shoes that may have caused or aggravate your pain.
Wear shoes that are more comfortable and that offer good support. In particular, shoes with a roomier toe box will give the toes more space to move and put less pressure on a bunion. In many cases, people develop bunions because they have been wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow. However, others may have just inherited this common foot shape.
High heels are a major culprit, so avoid wearing them as much as possible. If you must wear high heels, choose a heel that is under two inches. Wedges give more support to the feet than stilettos, so go with a wider heel if you must wear heels.
As much as you can, try to wear walking shoes that are comfortable and supportive. If you haven’t had your feet measured in the last year, visit a specialty shoe shop (specialised footwear store) to do so. The feet often change sizes over the years due to fluctuations in weight and the normal process of aging.
Your feet can increase by as much as a full size or two as you get older. It is quite possible that the pain you are experiencing is due to the fact that the shoes you are wearing are the wrong size, even though you may have been wearing that same size for years.
Shoes that are too tight will crowd your toes and can cause bunions. If you want to get rid of bunion pain and prevent new bunions from developing, it is essential that you wear shoes that fit properly. Nowadays, several shoes have been designed to accommodate bunions, some with stretchable leathers at the bunion area etc. Gone are the days of having to “break in “ hard leathers.
In addition to new shoes, you might also consider wearing custom orthotic inserts for your shoes. They give your feet the extra support that they need and correct abnormal gait, which can be the root cause of bunions.
Besides resting the feet, applying ice, and wearing proper footwear, your doctor / pharmacist may also recommend taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
For Continued Pain
Once you have tried rest, ice, and footwear modifications, you should experience some relief. If you continue to have pain, it is time to visit your doctor or foot specialist.
You may benefit from a steroid injection to reduce inflammation. If you see any signs of infection surrounding the bunion, you should see your doctor, as you may require antibiotics.
Last Resort
As a last resort, when all other treatment options have failed, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure known as a bunionectomy. The surgeon will remove the bunion and realign the joint. Surgery is not a guaranteed cure; the toe could still move back to its previous position.
However, surgery is more successful if the patient wears proper footwear and custom orthotic inserts.
If you have bunion pain, visit Foot Solutions UK. We can help you to find shoes that are both attractive and comfortable. We carry footwear in various widths & sizes. We have shoes that are designed specifically to accommodate bunions & we can also make minor modifications to some of our other footwear to help make you comfortable in your shoes from day 1.
We also provide a wide range of arch supports, including custom arch supports. When inserted into your shoes, these will help to relieve your pain. They will also help to address any abnormal gait patterns, which may have been responsible for the bunion development in the first place.
Stop by Foot Solutions UK to learn more today.
