Relief for Painful Bunions

Relief for Painful Bunions

Follow these helpful tips to reduce bunion pain everyday.

Is a bunion causing your foot pain? If you take a look at your foot and notice that the joint at the base of your big toe causes the area to stick out a little further than it should then you very well could be dealing with a bunion. While bunions that don’t cause problems may not be a cause for concern it’s a good idea to visit our Carmel and Indianapolis, IN podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Agricola to find out ways to keep the bunion from getting worse.

If you have a bunion here are some tips to alleviate and even prevent bunion pain and swelling,

Lose excess weight

One way to take additional pressure off your feet is to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, this can exacerbate bunions and other foot problems. If you are starting a new exercise regimen talk with our Indianapolis foot doctor about ways to ease into exercise safely so you don’t injure feet and ankles.

Cover your bunion

If you find that your bunion flares-up when wearing shoes you may want to start wearing a protective gel pad over the bunion. This padding can provide an additional layer of protection between your shoes and the bunion. While you don’t want to wear shoes that are too snug around your bunion, wearing a gel pad can protect the area and also prevent the formation of a painful callus.

Wear shoe inserts

Many people with bunions also have flat feet; therefore, placing custom shoe inserts, or orthotics, into your shoes can help lift the foot and provide it with the support that it needs. This can also prevent your bunion from getting worse. Custom shoe inserts are molded to your feet to help realign the toes and provide cushioning, to take pressure off the bunion and to prevent the deformity from getting worse.

If your bunion is irritated or in pain you may try over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers (e.g. ibuprofen), warm soaks or ice packs, or massage therapy. If you are dealing with severe pain that makes it difficult to walk our Indianapolis foot doctor may recommend additional treatment options including surgery to treat severe pain and inflammation.

Arm yourself with proper footwear, protective padding and anything you need to keep that bunion from flaring up. And if you are still having trouble don’t hesitate to call Prestige Podiatry. We have offices in Carmel and Indianapolis, IN, to provide you with the care you need. Call (317) 881-0070 for the Indianapolis office, or (317) 846-4111 for the Carmel office.