Blog What Makes a Bunion Worse?
You can blame arthritis, genetics, a medical condition, or your weight, but whatever caused your bunion, you’ll be dealing with the pain, redness, inflammation, and limited mobility until you take steps to treat it.
As part of the Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dr. Dan Preece and Dr. Darren Groberg, our board-certified podiatrists, diagnose and treat all kinds of foot and ankle conditions, and we see bunions quite often.
If you have a noticeable bump at the base of your big toe or your little toe and have ongoing pain, we encourage you to come in for an exam. Getting proper treatment for your bunion can help you head off complications down the road, such as bursitis, hammertoes, and metatarsalgia.
What makes bunions worse?
While researchers are still trying to nail down the exact cause of bunions, we do know what makes them worse. Here are a few habits, factors, and conditions that may be exacerbating your bunion symptoms.
Wearing high-heeled shoes
High-heeled shoes force your toes to cram together in the front of your shoe where they bear the full weight of your body in a concentrated area. This puts pressure on your toe joints and causes inflammation and friction that may lead to the formation of a bunion or make the one you have even worse.
Wearing shoes that don’t fit
High heels aren’t the only poor shoe choice you can make. Any shoes that are too big, too small, too narrow, or too pointed cause rubbing and pressure on your bunion.
Wearing flip flops
When you have a bunion, your foot and toe need all the support they can get. Flip flops and flats have no arch support and place too much pressure on your toe joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your joints. It causes swelling and pain that can exacerbate bunions.
Being overweight
The more you weigh, the more pressure and stress you put on your toe joints, which can lead to more painful swelling in your bunion. If you’re overweight, shedding a few pounds may relieve your bunion symptoms.
Standing all day
A sure-fire way to exacerbate your bunion is to stand on your feet all day. Walking or running a marathon is the worst thing you can do for your bunion, and if you have a job that keeps you on your toes, you may need to take some time off to heal.
What makes bunions better?
There are many effective treatments to ease your bunion pain, and we can help you figure out which ones are right for you. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may get relief from at-home remedies, or you may need to come in for a professional treatment.
At-home remedies for bunions
In addition to swapping your old, ill-fitting shoes for supportive, bunion-friendly shoes, try these tips to manage your symptoms:
- Stretch your toes regularly
- Use spacers between your toes
- Cushion your bunion with a pad
- Soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salt
- Ice your foot to decrease pain and swelling
- Elevate your feet
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever when you have a flare-up
- Get a foot massage or roll a tennis ball under your foot
- Rest your foot
For mild cases, these techniques are often all that’s necessary, but if you have a severe bunion, you may need our help.
How we treat bunions
When your bunion symptoms require more than self-care, we’re here for you. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend:
- Custom orthotics to fit inside your shoes
- Taping to reposition your toe
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Surgery
If surgery becomes necessary, rest assured that your feet are in the best hands with Dr. Groberg and Dr. Preece. They have the skill and experience to correct the deformity and get you back on your feet again soon.
To find out if your bunion needs expert care, schedule an appointment for examination by calling our friendly staff or requesting an appointment online.
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