Tip of the Week: How to Manage Painful Bunions

A bunion is generally considered as an enlargement of the joint (a lump of bone) at the base and side of the big toe – (specifically, the first metatarsophalangeal joint). Bunions form when the toe moves out of place. As the big toe bends towards the others this bone becomes larger and the bunion can become painful and can lead  to arthritis.  Here are ways to provide relief to bunions:

1) Felt pads can be used to offload pressure at the bunion

2)Wear shoes that are wider and deeper to accommodate the bunion as high heels will tend to exacerbate the condition

3)Remove painful corns and callus that have developed as a result of the bunion

4)Shoe stretching can be done specifically at the bunion area to reduce friction within the shoe

5)If the bunion is in its earlier stages, exercises can help to maintain the mobility of the joint

6)Custom Made Orthotics will help to reduce the progression of the bunion

7)If all of the above conservative measures have been exhausted, then bunion surgery may be necessary