Ready to Live Without Bunion Pain? Know Your Options

Dr. Brian Nagy | May 19th, 2017

Posted In: Bunions

Are you suffering from bunion pain? You might already know you have a bunion if you can see a large bony bump on the outside of your big toe – and it hurts! However, any foot pain can indicate a serious problem and the earlier you get treatment from a New Hampshire podiatrist at Nagy Footcare, the better off you’ll be. Foot pain due to bunions can be relieved by proper treatment of the bunion.

What is a bunion?

A bunion is basically a deformed joint. It is a bony growth on the outside of your big toe that makes your toe curve or lean toward the smaller toes. The toe bone eventually becomes more misshapen, hurting your ability to walk, run, exercise, or even put shoes on.

Symptoms of a Bunion

If you have a hard bump at the base of your big toe, it might be a bunion. Other symptoms include stiffness, swelling, redness and pain. You might also have corns or calluses, or hard skin on the bottom of your foot. Bunions can make it painful for you to walk, run or exercise, and can cause other foot problems such as hammertoes.

Causes of a Bunion

Bunions run in families and are often seen in people who have flat feet or low arches. So why do you have bunion pain and your brother does not? It could be because your shoes have pointy toes and less room in the tip, or box, for your toes to move. Do you wear high heels? Shoes with heels that are higher than two inches can make bunions worse because they put more weight on your toes. Standing or walking all day can also make bunions worse.

What are the treatment options for bunion pain?

Because bunions can be painful, limit your ability to move, and cause further damage to your foot, you should see a podiatrist if you have one. He or she will likely take an x-ray to see how bad your bunion is and offer a variety of treatment options. Remedies for mildly irritating bunions include the following.

Better footwear with a roomy toe box and proper foot support
Pads, wraps and shoe inserts
Warm or cold packs
Aspirin or other over-the-counter remedies
Whirlpool baths and foot massages
Wearing a small stint

Will I need surgery for my bunion?

If your foot x-ray shows that your bunion is severe then yes, you might need surgery. The good news is that bunions can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. This kind of operation involves just a small incision near the joint of your big toe and can be done on an outpatient basis. There is only minor bleeding, scarring, pain or swelling with minimally invasive surgery. Patients also have fewer post-op infections and other problems. After the surgery, you will be able to stand but will be advised to keep your walking to a minimum for about three days.

Don’t let bunions slow you down. They can be quite painful, keep you from living an active life, and lead to even more serious foot problems. The New Hampshire podiatrists and staff at Nagy Footcare are dedicated to providing relief from painful bunions and other foot problems.

We believe life is too short to suffer from foot pain and we want to help you. We will listen to you carefully and make sure you understand how we will treat your bunions. We are ready to help you with modern technologies and treatments.

Are you ready to live without bunion pain? Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment. At Nagy Footcare, our best day is when you wake up with no foot pain.