Having a bunion can be painful and interfere with your daily life. When the bones in the front part of your foot shift out of place, it creates a bony bump on your big toe joint. This bump can produce redness and swelling. Things like walking, exercising, or wearing shoes grow more difficult with bunions. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent and treat your condition!

Symptoms

Signs you might have a bunion include:

A bony bump on the base of your big toe
Pain, redness, or swelling around the big toe
Calluses
Corns
Pain, especially when walking
Difficulty moving your big toe
Trouble finding shoes that fit comfortably

If you have ongoing pain, it’s important you see your podiatrist and get treated.

Treatment

Options vary depending on the severity of your bunion.

Wearing comfortable shoes
Bunion pads or cushions
Over-the-counter medicine, like Advil, can help reduce pain and swelling
Cortisone shots
Padded shoe inserts, like orthotics
Applying ice
Attending physical therapy
Removing the swelling around the bunion
Removing part of the bone
Realigning the bone to correct the abnormal position

Prevention

One of the most common reasons for bunions is wearing high heels or other ill-fitting shoes. Buying and wearing comfortable shoes is key to preventing bunions and plenty of other foot problems. Shoes should have a wide toe box and conform to your foot, with no pain, pressure, or tightness felt.

After treatment or surgery, it’s important to stop wearing heeled shoes, allow your foot enough time to heal, and take precautions to avoid another bunion.

Although bunions often aren’t serious, it’s important to get yours looked at ASAP. Leaving a bunion alone or just utilizing at-home treatments isn’t enough. Bunions can grow worse over time, leading to more pain and swelling. Once you spot a bunion, be sure to call your podiatrist and get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi and his staff treat a range of conditions and are committed to providing results. To schedule an appointment, contact his office in Woodland Park, NJ, at 973-256-0002.