Having a hard bump on the side of your foot can be bothersome. It can make walking uncomfortable and finding well-fitting shoes challenging. If you see a bump near your big toe, you might have a bunion.
What is a bunion?
A bunion, also called hallux valgus, is a bony bump that develops where the big toe connects to the foot. This happens when the largest toe moves towards the second toe, making the joint stick out. This problem can cause pain, swelling, and even arthritis in the joint.
Some individuals may have a genetic tendency to get bunions because of the shape of their feet. However, wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes, like high heels or shoes with narrow toes, can also create or worsen bunions. Bunions usually get worse over time, causing more pain and difficulty moving if not treated.
Indications and signs of bunions
The main sign of a bunion is a noticeable bump on the side of your foot near your big toe. However, there could be other signs as well:
Continual pain or soreness where the bunion is located.
Inflammation and redness near the joint.
Limited ability to move the large toe, which can make walking or bending the toe more difficult.
Corns or calluses can form when toes rub against each other because they are not aligned correctly.
Skin that is thicker at the bottom of the big toe.
What makes bunions develop?
Bunions form when there is uneven pressure on the foot, usually due to problems with how the foot works or wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow. Frequent reasons are:
Genetics: If your relatives have bunions, you are more likely to get them. Some individuals are born with foot shapes that make them more likely to develop bunions.
Choosing the right shoes is important. Shoes that are too tight, narrow, or have high heels can push the big toe into a strange position over time.
Arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, can make it more likely to get bunions because it causes joint inflammation and instability.
Injuries to the foot can cause a bunion to form.
Flat feet or walking incorrectly can cause uneven pressure on the feet, making the condition worse.
How to Take Care of and Remove Bunions
Although bunions cannot be fixed without surgery, there are various methods to reduce the pain, slow down their growth, and enhance your quality of life.
1. Pick the Correct Shoes
The most important thing to do first when dealing with bunions is to wear shoes that have enough space for your toes. Wearing shoes that are too tight can make the problem worse, but wearing shoes with good support and wide toe space can help stop the issue from getting worse. Search for shoes with:
Spacious front part of the shoe that lets the toes lay flat and spread out as they would naturally.
Wearing shoes with low heels or no heels can help decrease pressure on the front part of the foot.
Padded insoles to absorb impact and offer more comfort.
2. Use special pads or shoe inserts for bunions.
Bunion pads or toe spacers that you can buy without a prescription can cushion the bunion and decrease rubbing from shoes, which can help lessen pain. These items are very useful if you have to stand for long periods of time.
If your bunion is hurting a lot or making it hard for you to move, a foot doctor might suggest using special shoe inserts. These special insoles can fix foot problems and give support to the arches, reducing pressure on the big toe joint.
3. Ways to Reduce Pain and Swelling
For slight to medium pain, you can use common painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to decrease swelling and ease discomfort. Putting ice packs on the sore area for 10-15 minutes can also reduce swelling and numb the pain.
Creams or gels that reduce inflammation can help relieve pain in specific areas, especially during periods of increased symptoms.
4. Exercises for Toes and Feet
Doing simple exercises for your feet regularly can keep them flexible, strengthen the muscles around your toe joint, and help prevent bunions from getting worse. Here are some useful exercises:
Stretch your toes: Slowly move your big toe back into place and hold it for 10 seconds, doing this multiple times a day.
Towel scrunches: Place a towel on the floor and use your toes to gather it up. This exercise can help make the muscles in your feet stronger.
Toe circles: Move your big toe in circles to increase flexibility and reduce stiffness in the joint.
5. Devices for Bunions
Bunion splints are devices that you wear while sleeping to help straighten your big toe into a more natural position. Although they cannot "cure" the bunion, they can help temporarily reduce pain and slow down the advancement of the condition.
6. Shots of corticosteroids.
If your bunion pain is very strong and doesn't go away, your doctor might suggest giving you corticosteroid shots to decrease swelling and give you temporary relief. This choice is usually saved for situations when other treatments have not worked.
7. Foot operation (Bunion removal)
If you have very painful bunions that make it hard to do daily tasks and don't get better with basic treatments, surgery might be the most suitable choice. Bunion surgery, also known as bunion removal, is a procedure that fixes the alignment of the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the foot to correct the misalignment and get rid of the bony bump.
There are various kinds of bunion surgery available, depending on how serious the condition is.
Osteotomy: The doctor cuts and adjusts the bone to fix the position of the big toe.
Exostectomy: The doctor takes out a piece of the bony bump without moving the bones, usually done together with osteotomy.
Arthrodesis is a procedure where the surgeon joins the joint together to stop movement and pain in severe cases of arthritic bunions.
Healing from bunion surgery usually takes a few weeks to several months. It includes wearing a cast or special shoe, doing physical therapy, and slowly getting back to regular activities. Although surgery works well, it is usually seen as a final option because of the time needed to recover and the possible dangers involved.
Avoiding Bunions
Although bunions may be unavoidable, especially if they run in your family, there are things you can do to lower your chances:
Wear shoes with a spacious front area and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Wearing shoes that fit well and let your toes move easily can help prevent bunions.
Help your feet: If your feet are flat or have other problems, think about using orthotics to enhance how your feet work.
Take breaks: If you spend a lot of time standing, make sure to take regular breaks to relieve pressure on your toes and avoid putting too much stress on your joints.
Keep a healthy weight: Having too much weight can put extra stress on your feet, which could make foot issues like bunions worse.
Bunions are a common foot problem that can be painful and make it hard to move around and enjoy life. Wearing the right shoes, using bunion pads, and doing toe exercises can help reduce pain and slow down the problem. However, in serious situations, surgery might be needed. Taking care of bunions early on and continuing to look after them is important to stop them from getting worse. By being proactive, you can reduce any discomfort, keep your feet healthy, and continue to be active.
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