If your bunions get so bad that they make walking and daily life challenging, you may need to schedule bunion surgery. Luckily, many people are able to manage their bunions without going under the knife. Here are five things to try before you call and make that surgical appointment with your podiatrist.
1. Massage Your Bunions
When your feet are inside shoes all day, the bunions may be under a lot of pressure. This can lead to a lack of blood flow to certain areas, which in turn leads to pain and discomfort. Massaging your feet at the end of the day can restore circulation to the feet and ease your pain. Start with light, gentle strokes and work your way up to using greater pressure. You can even massage your feet in the middle of the day when you have a break.
2. Apply Capsaicin Creams
Capsaicin is the component that makes hot peppers hot, and it also has the ability to increase circulation to an area—while numbing it—when applied to your body. You can find capsaicin creams in the pharmacy. They may be marketed to people suffering from arthritis, but they are also a good choice for those with bunions. Apply the cream to your foot once or twice a day and feel the pain ease away.
3. Switch Shoes
Shoes with narrow toe boxes tend to put more pressure on your bunions. Heels are also a poor choice for anyone with bunions. Switch to flats with a wide toe box—and perhaps buy them in a larger size so your toes have a little extra room. Within a few days of wearing these more comfortable shoes, you may find that your bunion pain is reduced.
4. Soak Your Feet
Get into the habit of soaking your feet in warm water whenever they are sore. The calm, soothing water will loosen the muscles in your foot, helping to ease your pain. If you want, you can also toss a few handfuls of Epsom salts into the water for greater relief.
5. Ask About Corticosteroid Injections
If the methods above don't provide substantial relief, talk to your podiatrist about corticosteroid injections. These are injections that can be administered right into your bunions to ease inflammation and help fight pain. Many patients need them just a few times per year to ease pain without the need for surgery. The injections also only take a few minutes for your doctor to administer.
For additional bunion treatment options, talk to a podiatrist.
Share23 October 2018
When I developed tendinitis of my foot and ankle, my podiatrist helped me on the road to recovery. An over-use injury from the job caused me considerable pain in my foot and ankle. Ice, elevation, rest, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory relieved my inflammation of the tendons. My podiatrist also prescribed physical therapy, which helped restore my mobility. Gentle stretching exercises performed during physical therapy seemed to have a positive effect. I was shown how to follow up these exercises at home. After several weeks of following doctor's orders, my podiatrist was happy with the results. The bottom line is if you're suffering from foot pain or injury, you should see a foot specialist as soon as possible because treatment options are available.
