What Can I Do to Prevent My Bunions from Getting Worse? : Apple Podiatry Group: Podiatrists (2024)

Apple Podiatry Group Blog What Can I Do to Prevent My Bunions from Getting Worse?

What Can I Do to Prevent My Bunions from Getting Worse? : Apple Podiatry Group: Podiatrists (1)

Bunions affect millions of people, becoming more common — and more painful —with age. Without treatment, bunions can cause a lot of pain, making it hard to do the activities you enjoy.

Fortunately, medical treatment can help — and there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms too. AtApple Podiatry Group, with four Texas locations,Jarna Rathod-Bhatt, DPM, andRahul Bhatt, DPM, help our patientsfind relief from painful bunions.

In this post, learn how they can help you.

Quick facts about bunions

Bunions are lumps or bumps that form when the base of your big toe joint moves out of normal alignment. The bulge that results on the side of your foot is the end of the bone that makes up the lower joint of the big toe.

Bunions happen for different reasons. Some people develop bunions because of an inherited walking pattern (gait) or foot shape. Others develop them after an injury or as a symptom of another medical problem, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Wearing pointy shoes and high heels can exacerbate the pain of a bunion and cause the bunion to worsen over time.

Regardless of how a bunion forms, every bunion needs to be medically evaluated — including smaller bunions that don’t cause pain. That’s because bunions are progressive and can steadily grow worse without proper treatment.

Bunion care tips

Certainly, one of the best ways to prevent a bunion from getting worse is to see your podiatrist as early as possible. Bunions tend to respond better with early treatment, while the toe joint is still flexible.

In addition, these simple tips can help you find bunion relief on your own.

Wear the right shoes

Choose shoes with plenty of wiggle room in the toes, and avoid pointy shoes entirely. Opt for shoes with low rather than high heels, which can worsen symptoms. Finally, make sure your shoes have plenty of arch support to relieve pressure on your toes.

Use corn or callus pads

Bunions often cause corns or calluses where the bunion rubs against your shoes. Sometimes, corns form on neighboring toes that wind up getting pushed out of alignment. Using corn or callus pads helps reduce friction and relieve pain.

Invest in orthotics

Custom orthotics are special shoe inserts designed for your foot shape and needs. Orthotics redistribute your weight, relieve pressure on your bunions, and offer extra padding and support. Orthotics are available for all types of footwear, including dress shoes and athletic shoes.

Give yourself a massage

For mild bunions, massaging the big toe joint helps prevent it from becoming stiff and inflexible. Plus, regular massage reduces inflammation that can lead to more pain.

Try stretches

Toe and foot exercisesreduce inflammation while strengthening support muscles in your foot. Try picking up sticks with your toes orpointing and curling your toesto improve circulation too.

Ask about splints and taping

Toe splints and taping offer temporary support for your toes, easing them into proper alignment. Taping may be used during daily routines, while splints typically are reserved for nighttime use.

Use ice and NSAIDs

Applying an ice pack and taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Using ice also lets you put your feet up and take the pressure off your bunions.

Help for your bunions

In their earliest stages, bunions may not cause a lot of symptoms — but they still need to be evaluated. Without prompt treatment, bunions can worsen over time, leading to complications that require surgery to correct.

To learn how we can help you find relief for your bunions,request an appointment online or over the phone at one of our Apple Podiatry Group locations in Arlington, Fort Worth, or Flower Mound, Texas.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Soon After Breaking My Foot Can I Drive?

Fracturing a foot not only hurts but it also interferes with daily tasks, including driving. How soon you can drive following a foot fracture depends on several factors. Here are some guidelines to follow.

5 Sports Injuries You Can Avoid with Proper Footwear

Sports injury prevention starts by choosing the right shoes. Find out how to choose proper footwear for your particular sport here.

Toe Walking: What Every Parent Should Know

When kids learn to walk, they sometimes start with heels lifted off the ground. Called toe walking, it's a normal part of childhood. Most children outgrow it as they become more confident on their feet, but some continue long after their peers stop.

5 Signs You’ve Been Wearing the Wrong Shoe Size

You’ve always been a size 8, but recently, there have been some unwelcome and often painful changes in your feet. Guess what? That size 8 may not be doing your feet any favors anymore.

5 Tips for Preventing a Gout Flare-Up Over the Holidays

Gout goes through periods of remission and flares. During remission, you might forget you have gout. But a flare can make normal activities difficult, and a flare during the holidays can interfere with your festivities.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips for Travelers: Keeping Your Feet Healthy on the Go

If you have diabetes and are traveling this fall or winter, take precautions to keep your feet healthy. Waiting in line at airports or hoofing it while sightseeing takes a toll on your feet, but following our guidelines can make all the difference.

What Can I Do to Prevent My Bunions from Getting Worse? : Apple Podiatry Group: Podiatrists (2024)

FAQs

What Can I Do to Prevent My Bunions from Getting Worse? : Apple Podiatry Group: Podiatrists? ›

Bunions are also associated with arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint. You may be able to relieve pain and prevent bunions from progressing with conservative measures that take pressure off the MTP joint and improve foot mechanics.

Can you stop a bunion from progressing? ›

Bunions are also associated with arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint. You may be able to relieve pain and prevent bunions from progressing with conservative measures that take pressure off the MTP joint and improve foot mechanics.

What will a podiatrist do about my bunions? ›

Your podiatrist will be able to identify any significant deformity and/or defect and may refer you for surgery, which can involve a combination of removing, realigning and pinning of the bone. Once referred, your podiatric surgeon will evaluate the extent of the deformity.

How do you fix bunions before they get bad? ›

Padded shoe inserts can help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet, reducing your symptoms and preventing your bunion from getting worse. Over-the-counter supports can provide relief for some people; others require prescription orthotic devices. Applying ice.

Can you reverse the start of a bunion? ›

Bunions can't be reversed, and unfortunately, they don't go away on their own. Once you have a bunion, it will likely continue to grow over time. Luckily, many people don't need to have surgery to treat their bunions. It's possible to find pain relief through home remedies, orthotics and other treatments.

Can a podiatrist fix a bunion without surgery? ›

Other non-surgical treatments for bunions include injections of cortisone or oral anti-inflammatory medication and wearing custom-made shoes that accommodate the bunion deformity.

What is the best bunion corrector for podiatrists? ›

Caretras Bunion Corrector

If you're looking to help temporarily realign your bunion, consider using this corrector recommended by Sharkey. It helps relieve discomfort, pressure, and inflammation by constantly applying gentle pressure when on.

Does walking barefoot help bunions? ›

Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.

What aggravates bunions? ›

Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis. Smaller bunions (bunionettes) can develop on the joint of your little toe.

Why does my bunion keep flaring up? ›

For many people, bunion pain flares up if they wear shoes that put pressure on the affected toe. Shoes that have narrow toe boxes and shoes that constrict the toes, such as high heels, are often to blame. So, it's important to pay attention when flare-ups occur.

Does walking a lot make bunions worse? ›

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.

Why did my bunion suddenly get worse? ›

Abnormal pronation and flat feet are often a culprit in bunion growth. Some people may not have family history bunions but get them anyway. Shoe type may influence the development of a bunion, as pointed toe shoes, shoes which are too tight or unsupportive shoes can encourage the MTP to slip out of place.

Is there a bunion corrector that actually works? ›

Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe.

Do bunions get bigger with age? ›

Most people who have bunions have them, at least to some degree, in early adulthood. They can gradually get worse with age, as part of the change of elasticity problem. As the tissues relax, the bunion can get bigger.

Can bunions be slowed down? ›

With some basic lifestyle modifications — such as wearing shoes that fit properly — and a few simple toe exercises, you can relieve pain, slow the progression of your bunion, and possibly keep future bunions away.

Can you straighten a bunion without surgery? ›

In most cases, bunions can be treated nonsurgically. One of the podiatrists from our team can examine your bunion(s) and recommend a conservative treatment which includes one or more of the following: Custom shoe orthotics (inserts) that relieve pressure on the joint and align your weight in a more beneficial way.

Do bunions always progress? ›

Bunions start out small, but they often get worse over time. Because the MTP joint flexes with every step, the bigger the bunion gets, the more painful and difficult walking can become.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6141

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.