What Are Bunions and How Are They Treated?

What Are Bunions and How Are They Treated?

Bunions don’t grow overnight and tend to develop very slowly. Mainly, pressure on our big toe results in it leaning towards the second or adjacent toe. Gradually, the bone’s normal structure changes and causes a bunion to form. This bump or deformity would increase in size gradually and then make it very painful for you to walk or even wear shoes.

Fortunately, you can alleviate pain from bunions and prevent them from worsening with home treatments and help from your podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Agricola at Prestige Podiatry, in our Indianapolis, IN, or Carmel, IN, office.

Invest in Comfortable and Supportive Footwear

Combat pain with comfort by investing in shoes that will be able to fully support your feet. Primarily, you should avoid shoes with heels and narrow toe boxes. Although they might look cute, these kinds of shoes will reinforce your big toe’s misalignment, resulting in your toe angling towards the neighboring toe. In addition, shoes that you wear for playing sports, training, or exercising should also fit properly and support your feet when you move.

Talk to Your Podiatrist About Orthotics

Orthotic devices are prescribed and customized by your podiatrist in our Indianapolis or Carmel, IN, office. These are very effective in regulating weight distribution to help decrease the pressure on your big toe, where your pain is coming from. Remember, easing pain and delaying the progression of your bunion is your goal.

Orthotics likewise help slow down a bunion’s progression since they stabilize the joint of the big toe and other bones in your affected foot. Take note though that when the time comes that orthotics and home treatments fail to keep your pain in check, you may need to undergo bunion surgery or bunionectomy.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight is Crucial

Are you aware that approximately that up to three times your body’s weight goes right into each step you take? So unless you plan on not walking entirely, being overweight will aggravate your already irritated big to joint. But if you keep your weight in check, you could significantly reduce the pressure on your toe to reduce inflammation, and in turn, swelling and pain.

So you see, living with bunions is manageable with the right treatments. And while these won’t get rid of your bunion, they could really help prevent its progression. For persistent bunion pain, other treatments or surgery may be needed.

For Advice or Concerns About Bunions, We Can Help

Arrange a consultation with your podiatrist here at Prestige Podiatry, Dr. Jeffrey Agricola, by calling our Indianapolis, IN, office at (317) 881-0070 or our Carmel, IN, office at (317) 846-4111.