5 Lifestyle Ways to Reduce Your Bunion Pain

Bunions cause discomfort and pain. In fact, 25% of adults struggle with bunions, with women coping with them more frequently than men.

Fortunately, the tips in this article can help reduce the pain and its impact they have on your life. To manage the symptoms of bunions, let’s examine some basic facts about the condition, including its causes and what you can do to feel better.

Residents in the Lower Pacific Heights area of San Francisco and San Jose, California, who are dealing with bunions or other painful foot problems, can rely on Dr. Andrew Harrison and our medical team for help.

Facts about bunions

Bunions are bony bumps that form on the inside edge of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint on your big toe. They can also form on other toes.

The three types of bunions are congenital (you’re born with the condition), juvenile (happens in kids under 18), and bunionettes (form on the base of your pinky toe).

In addition to pain, bunions also cause symptoms like:

Stiffness
Swelling
Redness
Discoloration
Inability to bend your big toe
Burning sensation
Corns
Calluses
Numbness
Hammertoes

It also makes wearing certain types of shoes more difficult.

Common causes

Research indicates that genetics plays a significant role in bunions due to an inherited faulty foot structure.

Other structural foot issues that increase the risk of bunions include flat feet, an abnormal bone structure, and ligaments that are excessively flexible. Additionally, they’re worsened by other problems, such as ill-fitting shoes, arthritis, and prolonged standing.

Left untreated, bunions can cause bursitis. This condition is an irritation of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs) of the MTP joint, leading to swelling, inflammation, and tenderness.

They can lead to limited mobility in nearby joints, a stiff toe, chronic toe and foot pain, or other foot deformities.

Options for pain relief

To live with less pain and other symptoms of bunions, try these methods:

1. Wear shoes that fit

Low-heeled and comfortable shoes with proper space for the broadest part of your foot can improve bunion pain.

2. Protect the bunion

Bunion pad cushions, moleskin, or gel-filled pads help to alleviate pain and pressure associated with this condition.

3. Apply ice or heat

To reduce swelling and inflammation, using cold compresses is helpful. For loosening joints and improving circulation, go with heat therapy.

4. Wear inserts and splints

Custom orthotics offer support for feet with bunions, while splints worn nightly hold toes straight and relieve discomfort.

5. Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight causes several problems, including increased workload for your lower body and increased strain on your feet. Shedding some pounds can help ease the pressure on your bunion.

Surgery is necessary to remove bunions, but managing the pain associated with them can make a significant difference in the amount of discomfort you experience.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Harrison and our team today to receive assistance with bunions and other foot conditions.