A bunion is a bump that forms on the outside of the big toe and is the result of a structural misalignment of the big toe joint. Although it is considered ugly by some, the main concern is that it is painful or can become even more painful over time. Physical signs of bunions include redness, swelling and/or calluses (hardened skin tissue) on the bony bump. A bunion can cause difficulty wearing shoes that wrap around the foot and can significantly impact simple activities. Most people with bunions try various bunion treatments before opting for bunion surgery. While some bunion treatments aim to alleviate symptoms, others are focused on treating bunions.
Foot Exercises for Bunion Treatment
Foot and ankle exercises can be helpful for those with bunions. The cause of bunions can be a muscle imbalance in the big toe joint, and doing specific exercises can help to prevent this problem. Bunion exercises are divided into two, muscle strengthening and range of motion.
Foot exercises that develop the core (inner) muscles of the foot include grasping objects with the toes and spreading toes apart. Grasping small stones or simply towel with toes activates the deep muscles in the foot. Manual range of motion of the big toe joint keeps the big toe joint flexible and mobile.
Bunion Treatment with Painkillers
When bunions cause pain, taking topical and oral pain medications can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Topical creams can soothe acutely aggravated bunions. Methylated creams create a cooling sensation that will help provide relief from the underlying discomfort.
Creams that contain capsaicin (the substance in chili peppers) have pain-reducing and possible anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory drugs taken orally (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be useful when bunions are associated with pain, swelling and/or redness. Pain relieving medications, whether topical or oral, are used to treat the symptoms of bunions.
Bunion Pads and Splints
Bunion pads and splints are medical appliances that are placed over the foot to treat bunion symptoms and/or correct a structural misalignment defect. Bunion pads provide a layer of cushion to reduce or relieve the irritation caused by the pressure the bunion faces when making contact with the shoe. Bunion splints, on the other hand, actively force the big toe into a better alignment.
Some bunion splints (e.g., a toe spacer) can be used in shoes during the day. Overnight bunion splints are probably the best bunion treatment method that actively works to neutralize the factors that create bunions. Overnight bunion splints can be large and heavy, making people less inclined to use them in the long term. There are also a number of other bunion products available.
Foot Orthoses for Bunion Treatment
Using shoe insoles are also helpful in treating bunions by providing structural support to the foot, which can improve the alignment of the foot and consequently limit the progression of the bunion. There are no specific orthoses for bunions, but doctors can create custom orthoses for a specific foot type.
Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery is the only way to truly treat a bunion. Bunion surgery involves the structural realignment of the displaced bones. The most common procedure in bunion surgery is to cut the bunion in order to realign the upper part of the bone (Austin bunionectomy) or the lower part, or to reposition the entire bone by performing a bone repair/fusion procedure under the dislocated bone (Lapidus bunionectomy). The recovery period for bunion surgery lasts 6 weeks until the bones heal. Modern bunion surgery techniques allow patients to walk immediately after bunion surgery.
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