When You Should — and Shouldn't — Run Through Heel Pain
Foot problems can be debilitating, and heel pain is a common type that millions deal with. The solution depends on what is causing it.
5 Simple Tips to Relieve Bunion Pain
Most people spend a lot of time using their feet. It’s no surprise that millions of people struggle with foot conditions that cause pain and other symptoms, and one of the most common is bunions.
In fact, they affect up to 25% of the population.
Bunions are sometimes mild, but leaving them untreated can lead to painful symptoms. To help you manage the pain that comes from bunions, let’s find out more about the condition, what other symptoms can develop, and how to reduce the impact on your life.
Residents of the Lower Pacific Heights area of San Francisco and San Jose, California, looking for ways to manage bunions or other foot problems can get help from Dr. Andrew Harrison and our dedicated medical staff.
How bunions develop
Your metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint connects your big toe to your foot, and bunions occur when pressure on it forces a misalignment with your other toes.
This joint condition can form on other toes, but the big toe is the most common. There are also other types of bunions, including congenital and adolescent forms, as well as bunionettes.
The bony bump that forms with a bunion can develop due to several factors, including:
- Shoes that don’t fit
- Joint inflammation
- Extended periods of time standing on your feet
- Foot mechanics (how you walk)
People with a history of foot injuries, a family history of the condition, and women are at higher risk.
Having bunions also increases the chances of other foot problems, such as osteoarthritis, bursitis, and hammertoes.
Symptoms to expect
The bony bump marks the surest symptom of a bunion. Other symptoms can include:
- Pain
- Tenderness in the joint
- Skin hardening on the bottom of the foot
- Calluses and corns
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility
Many of these signs can make using the affected foot challenging and make it harder to fit into shoes.
Options for relief
To help deal with fewer issues with bunions, you can manage with some basic steps:
Wearing shoes that fit
Avoiding high heels and shoes that force your toes into unnatural positions can reduce pain and other symptoms.
Padding and taping
Bunion pads can ease pressure, and taping can help toes retain their normal position.
Orthotics
Custom inserts can be placed into shoes to reduce the impact that bunions have on your feet.
Ice compress
Placing ice on the affected toes can help with inflammation and pain.
Pain relievers
Medication to ease pain can be bought in a store or offered by prescription to help you feel better.
Bunions happen to people all the time, but you don’t have to live with the pain that comes with them. Make an appointment with Dr. Harrison and our team today to get help.
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