How to treat bunions?

A bunion is essentially a localized area of enlargement of the inner portion around the joint at the base of the big toe. People that have developed a bunion will see their big toe appear to point outward with the bump on the inner side of the foot. The development of a bunion on foot is extremely common with studies showing that as many as about 30% of the populations in most western countries are affected by them. Moreover, the condition appears to be more common in women than it is in men - primarily as a result of the kind of footwear used. Tight fitting shoes, such as cowboy boots and high heels, are known to be extremely common causes of foot bunions because they have a sloping foot bed with a rather narrow toe box. The heightened foot bed will cause the front of the foot to be pushed forward with a certain amount of force into the narrower toe box - thereby making it rather uncomfortable for the feet. Constantly wearing these uncomfortable shoes will surely cause foot bunions to develop. Some of the other factors that are known to cause foot bunions include skeletal maturity, hereditary and trauma or some kind of injury to the foot.

Because of the fact that bunions are such a common development, there are a number of bunion treatment options that would be rather useful in subduing the pain experienced by the patient. Proper bunions cure centers around ensuring that the blood flow to the foot is increased and this can be achieved by the application of a heat pad on the foot to help relieve the inflammation. Another bunions cure would be to apply an ice pack on the affected area for around 10 minutes daily. It is highly recommended that you also remove the ice pack at intervals to ensure that your foot is allowed to warm up for a bit. However, when choosing this method of bunions cure, it is important that you ensure you are not suffering from diabetes or any other circulation problems in the feet. Regular massages are known to be very effective bunion cures and will help substantially in the reduction of pain and inflammation. A lot of proper bunions cure and treatment will depend on the kind of care you take of your feet after they have been affected by the growth. Wear running shoes more often as they have a lot of room for the toes - thereby relieving any stress on the bunion. Keep the doctor informed if your condition does not improve within a few days.

answered by G M

A bunion is an abnormality in the bones and joint of the big toe. Although it is often assumed that bad footwear causes bunions, they are actually hereditary and if you are predisposed to the condition, there is a good chance that it will develop as you grow older. Bad footwear however will certainly make the condition worse, not necessarily by increasing the abnormality in the bones and the joint, but by worsening the pain and the inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

You should therefore be extra cautious when choosing footwear. Avoid anything that's too tight — the best choice is probably sports shoes, but make sure that they fit you comfortably. Even if you don't want sports shoes, it is advisable to use shoes with round or square toes, rather than pointy ones. You should also avoid heels, as they tend to put more pressure on the toes. One general recommendation when buying shoes is to do it towards the end of the day, when your feet are slightly swollen. Shoes that you have bought in the morning are likely to be at least a little bit tight at night.

At the end of the day, or even several times a day, you can apply a warm compress to the big toe and the area around it. Soaking your feet in warm salt water will also provide some relief. You can also try several simple, easily available products that work by straightening the big toe a bit, so that it does not turn inwards so much. These are of course temporary, and need to be used everyday.

answered by M W