A bunion is a bump near your toe joint on the inside of your foot.
Time is required for a bunion to develop. The cause is a gradual change in your bone structure. If you have a bunion, you will find walking or wearing shoes difficult and painful. Bunions can form due to the tightness of the narrow shoes favored by numerous women. If your shoes are forcefully squeezing your toes together, you can get a bunion. One of your best options is wider shoes to relieve the pressure on your toes.
The most common cause of bunions is shoes with pointed toes. This type of footwear will place your toes into an undesirable and unnatural position. Your genetics may also be a factor. Certain individuals have a greater chance of developing a bunion due to their bone structure. Inflammatory conditions including neuromuscular conditions and rheumatoid arthritis can also result in the formation of a bunion. The symptoms of a bunion generally include:
- Inflammation
- Hardened skin
- Tenderness and pain
- Limited motion of your big toe
- Redness
- A bump with a corn or callus
The majority of bunions can be effectively treated non-surgically.
To completely eliminate your bunion, you will need to have surgery. The benefits of non-surgical treatment are preventing your bunion from becoming any worse and significantly decreasing your pain. You will probably be able to treat your bunion simply by wearing shoes with a proper width that does not place pressure on your toes. If your shoes are still an issue for your toes, you may be able to stretch the area using a stretcher.
You can treat your swelling and pain by purchasing anti-inflammatory drugs including naproxen and ibuprofen. If your bunions resulted from arthritis, you may have severe swelling and pain. You can talk to your doctor about obtaining a prescription. Wearing orthotics in your shoes to remove the pressure on your bunion is recommended. Another good option is a toe spacer. You may also be able to decrease your pain level by straightening your toe at night with a splint.
There are pads you can purchase from your pharmacist designed to be placed over bunions. You should only wear the pad for a short period of time until your are certain you are using the correct size. The wrong size can increase your pain.
