How to Prevent and Treat bunions
A foot bunion is formed by a bump in the bone that sticks out beside the bottom of a toe. Bunions are formed by misalignment of tendons, bones, and tissues at the base of the toe. This misalignment leads to the bending of the toe. Bunions can be treated by surgery but there are many non-surgical treatments as well that may help treat and prevent further deformation.
Non-surgical treatments may help reduce the pain and swelling that may happen due to bunions. But there is no long-term result associated with these non-surgical treatments and sometimes in worse conditions, surgery may be the final option. This article will highlight the effective results of non-surgical treatments for bunions and also the benefits associated with these.
Non-Surgical Bunion Treatments
Not all bunions require surgery. In this section, we'll cover a few bunion treatments without surgery. These natural bunion treatments are fairly simple and can be done from the comfort of your home. Bunion pain relief home remedies help relieve pain and ease swelling which will eventually slow down bunion formation.
Shoes
Wearing appropriate shoes in case you have bunions. Wearing special comforting footwear helps alleviate pain and discomfort. You may choose bunion-friendly shoes from medical stores that are roomy and provide sufficient space for the toes. You should also consider buying a size larger than your actual size. Avoid wearing high heels and also shoes with pointed toes.
Orthotics for Bunions
A shoe orthotic is an insert or support that improves comfort, arch support, and alignment of the feet bones. These also help to improve or correct foot mechanics and feet movement patterns.
Splints and Spacers
You can wear a splint while sleeping to hold your toes straight. This may help prevent the joints from stiffening and slow bunion formation. But once you remove the splint, the toe will return to where it was. You may also opt to wear toe spacers, which will help alleviate pressure on the toes.
Bunion Stretches and Exercises
There are special bunion exercises you can perform to relieve pain, develop muscular strength, and increase flexibility. These foot exercises for bunions help improve foot mobility and gait.
TENS Therapy
Using a TENS unit for bunion pain can offer pain relief. TENS units deliver electrical pulses to nerves which temporarily block pain. While they're not a healing remedy, TENS units may offer a way to treat bunion pain.
Learn More About TENS Therapy
Our guide covers everything you need to know, including:
- What a TENS Unit is
- How it works
- What it treats
- And more
Can Non-Surgical Treatments Fix Bunions?
Non-surgical treatments help to relieve the symptoms and slow down bunion formation but they do not correct the misalignment of the bones which is the underlying cause of bunions. For a more effective treatment, it is essential to note the slightest formation of a bunion and start the treatment as soon as you can. This may stop the bunion from developing and may also treat it all together along with pain. Although for pain management medications, you can look into Price Pharmacy for the best affordable prices.
Usually, bunions can only be removed by surgery but in some mild cases, surgery may not be necessary. You might need surgery if the pain is unbearable and you are able to walk properly but otherwise, you can consider the non-surgical treatments discussed above.
Can Bunions Come Back?
How to Prevent Bunions
Bunion surgery usually reduces pain and improves bone alignment in the foot, but there is still a possibility that bunions may form again.
In order to avoid bunions in the future, an orthopedic surgeon will recommend wearing footwear or a splint to alleviate pressure on the feet. They may also recommend doing foot exercises or physiotherapy sessions to restore and improve feet strength, improve range of foot motion and joints.
Here are a few additional tips you can do on your own to reduce the appearance and severity of bunions.
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting footwear to provide sufficient toe space.
- Avoid high heels, flip-flops and narrow pointed or tight shoes.
- Use comfortably padded shoe inserts to enhance arch support and alignment.
- Wear braces to hold the shoe straight.
- Wear toe spacers
- Wear loose, thin socks to reduce pressure on the bunion.
- To alleviate irritation and pressure, use gel-filled tabs or moleskin for protection and cushioning.
- Stretch your toes whenever possible.
- Elevate your feet when lying down or sitting.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight may put severe pressure on your feet and especially the toes.
- Massage your feet.
- Soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath to relieve inflammation and pain.
- Use a bunion cold compress for 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and inflammation. Make sure to do this after every intense physical activity such as exercise or cardio.
- You can take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NS-AIDs) to relieve pain but do not make a habit of taking medicines.
There are many natural ways to help bunions and fix bunions with no surgery. However, it is necessary to start bunion pain treatment as soon as you start noticing a bunion forming. Wear comfortable shoes with arch supports, toe spacers, or bunion pads. In case of discomfort and inflammation, use ice packs, take an Epsom salt bath, and rest your feet.
If you have a bunion, talk with a healthcare professional about different treatment options and which option may suit you best. This is important as no treatment may lead to more severe misalignment and pain that may cause further damage.
About the Author
Brandon Landgraf is the Digital Marketing Manager for Carex Health Brands. He finds passion and fulfillment in creating content that enhances, improves, and enlivens others' quality of life. All of his written work is formulated to not only offer essential advice and tips but back it with proven studies and experts. His mission is to connect with readers and provide steps to make their lives better.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.
About Carex Health Brands
Carex is your one-stop shop for home medical equipment and for products that assist caregivers with providing the best possible support and care for their loved ones. Carex Health Brands has been the branded leader in in-home, self-care medical products for over 35 years. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers by bring them quality products that bring dignity back to their lives. With our three nationally distributed brands, Carex Health Brands serves national, regional and independent food, drug and mass retailers along with wholesalers, distributors and medical dealers.
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