Many individuals, especially women, often see their doctor for treatment of bunions. This condition can be very painful and can cause much disruption to the social life of individuals. Surgery is the only definitive way to get rid of them, but there are things you can do to ease any pain they cause.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It forms when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.
Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of an inherited structural defect, stress on your foot or a medical condition such as arthritis.
How to ease bunion pain yourself
You cannot get rid of bunions or stop them getting worse yourself, but there are things you can do to relieve any pain:
• wear wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole
• hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) to the bunion for up to 5 minutes at a time
• try bunion pads (soft pads you put in shoes to stop them rubbing on a bunion) – you can buy these from pharmacies
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen
• try to lose weight if you are overweight
You should NOT wear high heels or tight, pointy shoes.
When to Call a Doctor About a Bunion
If you have persistent pain when walking normally in otherwise comfortable, flat-soled shoes, you may be developing a bunion, bursitis, gout, or a bone spur in your foot. It is time to call the doctor.
Treatment
Your doctor would examine you and order various X-rays. Several options for treatment will be discussed especially if the bunions are not causing pain. If your bunion does not hurt all the time, and you catch it early, you may just need to change to well-made shoes that fit you right.
Some doctors advise using bunion pads, splints, or other shoe inserts, as long as they do not put pressure elsewhere on your foot and worsen other problems.
In some cases, an orthotic specialist can prescribe shoes with specially designed insoles, and uppers, that take the pressure off affected joints and help the foot regain its proper shape.
Some bunions may need surgery, but only if the symptoms are severe. You should not get surgery just because you do not like the way the bunion makes your foot look, because the risks can outweigh the benefits.
Prevention
As the cause of bunions is unknown it is difficult to discuss prevention, but it might help if you make sure your shoes are the correct size and have enough room for your toes – and avoid shoes with high heels or pointy toes. I know this might be difficult for many women!
Conclusion
Bunions tend to occur more frequently in women than men. Even though bunions are obvious from the pain and unusual shape of the big toe, it is still a good idea to see a doctor. Various treatment options will be discussed.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
