Treatment Options For Bunions
A bunion appears as a painful or uncomfortable bony bump on the lower area of the big toe joint. Also known as “hallux valgus,” bunions are a result of a structural complication in the bone of your toes and foot, often the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.
Bunions don’t progress quickly, but the prompt treatment here at Merrimack Valley Foot Specialists by Dr. David Greenblott and Dr. Debra Eisner, in our Haverhill, MA, or East Boston, MA, office will help significantly slow down and prevent their progression.
Symptoms of Bunions
- A swelling and noticeable bump on the base of your big toe
- Redness, soreness, swelling or a burning sensation surrounding your big toe joint
- Recurring pain
- Restricted motion of your big toe
- Calluses or corns
- Difficulty walking or moving the affected foot – in more severe cases
Causes of Bunions
The precise cause of bunions is still unclear. However, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, factors that could contribute to the formation of a bunion are:
- Foot injuries, stress, or excessive pressure
- Deformities from birth
- Inherited foot type
- Particular types of arthritis
Treating Bunions
Take note that the possible treatment options your podiatrist may recommend will differ based on the seriousness of your condition and the amount of pain it causes you.
Home Care for Bunions
- Maintain a healthy weight. This can effectively help reduce pressure on your feet and can benefit your overall health and wellbeing as well.
- You can use a non-medicated bunion pad that can be obtained over-the-counter, to protect your bunion and reduce pain.
- Wear appropriate shoes. Make sure to wear shoes that aren’t tight around the toe area.
- Pain medication. Your doctor may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Padding or taping. A gel-filled or moleskin pad can be used to provide protection for your bunion, as it can act as a soft barrier between your foot and your shoe to help alleviate your pain.
Professional Treatment for Bunions
- Custom Orthotics. Making use of a prescription orthotic device aids in positioning your foot properly and can provide pressure evenly when your feet move.
- Physical Therapy. This is usually done to alleviate bunion pain and inflammation.
- When other treatment options are ineffective in treating your bunion, your podiatrist may suggest surgery to fix the toe joint and alleviate pressure. Moreover, surgery will reinstate the proper alignment of the toe joint, eliminate the bony enlargement, and get rid of the pain.
Are You Dealing With Bunion Pain? We Can Help
Arrange a consultation with Dr. David Greenblott or Dr. Debra Eisner here at Merrimack Valley Foot Specialists today. Call our Haverhill, MA, office at 978-556-9700 or our East Boston, MA, office at 617-567-2111.
