What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “bunion”? They’re a little bit older, right?
Well, these small (or not-so-small) bumps are not distinguished by age. They can appear at anyone’s feet. But, by the way, this is a common thing for women (ah, what we do to our legs in the name of fashion).
WFirst of all, is the hat a bunion?
Bunions are basically a deformity of the foot; big toe joint. Bunions can be either arthritic or genetic, and both types can cause mild, moderate, or severe pain, said Marco Ucciferri, a podiatrist at Summit Medical Group in New Jersey. There is a possibility.
Arthritic bunions are usually caused by some type of injury or injury (such as from playing sports as a child). Genetic bunions run in families, so if your mother and grandmother both had bunions, you probably will too. Most bunions grow larger with age anyway, so even if your bunion doesn’t hurt right now, it’s worth paying attention to.
But what’s really important to know about bunions?The size is do not have It’s important when it comes to pain. “Pain is related to the amount of pressure you put on your joints and the amount of walking you do on a regular basis,” says Dr. Ucciferri. “A large bunion may not bother you, but a small bunion can be very painful if you wear dress shoes and walk to work every day.”
Yes, bunions are bad…but what can you do to alleviate some of the pain from bunions?Here are 8 ways to relieve bunion pain.
1. Wear the right shoes.
Maybe it’s easy, but it’s a good place to start. Sure, we like the look of our calves in heels, but their height can put a lot of pressure on the joints of our toes, including our bunions.
Dr. Ucciferri says changing the footwear you choose, such as wearing round-toe styles instead of pointed ones or swapping heels for flats, can help relieve pain. Let’s start with 7 cute shoes that won’t hurt even if you have bunions.
2. Have your feet measured by a professional.
You may think you wear size 7 shoes, but you might be surprised when you go to your local shoe store and have them professionally measured. Not only may one or both feet be a half size smaller or larger than you think, but it’s also possible that you have wide feet that just hurt when you wear narrow dress shoes. Dr. Ucciferri says measuring your feet can be an eye-opening experience that can make walking the pavement every day much more comfortable.
3. Use orthodontic appliances.
If you are looking for really good foot support and want to relieve the constant pressure on the big toe joint, you may want to ask your podiatrist about custom-made orthotics. After creating a cast for your foot, your doctor will create a device based on your individual needs.
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“If your feet hurt when you walk to work every day, we create orthotics that you can wear with your dress shoes,” says Dr. Ucciferri. “But at the gym, if you say your feet hurt after working out for an hour, he’ll make you shoes for running shoes or sneakers.”
If you’re not sure whether to spend the big bucks on a custom device, Dr. Ucciferri says you can try an over-the-counter arch support insert first. Dr. Scholl’s) Before you buy a version made just for you, see if it helps you.
4. Chill, baby.
Your grandmother wasn’t completely wrong about soaking her feet. Dr. Ucciferi says soaking your feet can reduce inflammation in the big toe joint…but for the best, he recommends using ice water (or applying an ice pack) To do. Not the traditional comforting hot water.
“Soaking your feet in hot water will make you feel better, but your feet will swell and may be even more painful the next day,” warns Dr. Ucciferri.
5. Take over-the-counter painkillers.
If you want quick and reliable pain relief, use an NSAID like Aleve or Motrin, says Dr. Ucciferri. Both are effective in relieving acute bunion pain. (Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory, but it doesn’t do much here.)
However, if you find yourself taking NSAIDs daily for bunion pain, you should ask your doctor to help you find a non-drug treatment if possible. This is because taking anti-inflammatory drugs regularly can cause bunion pain. side effects.
6. Wear moleskin pads.
This nifty little gel pad is designed to cushion your bunion and reduce friction inside your shoe, making it a little more comfortable to wear your favorite kicks, according to Dr. Ucciferri. Find it at your local pharmacy or onlinetoo.
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Many moleskin pads can be applied to either foot or It protects your shoes to prevent painful chafing and can also be cut to the exact size and shape you need. These are affordable options and can provide significant relief.
7. Try steroid injections.
If over-the-counter pain medications don’t work, Dr. Ucciferri recommends talking to your podiatrist about cortisone injections, which can reduce pain and swelling at the root of your problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, repeated cortisone injections (or high-dose shots) can damage surrounding tissue, bone, and cartilage, so this is probably more of a short-term solution than a long-term solution.
8. Consider surgery.
If you no longer walk or exercise regularly or can no longer wear most of the shoes in your closet, you may want to get rid of your bunions because they are controlling your life.
However, although the surgery is a very simple outpatient procedure, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to recover depending on the size of the bunion (it can take 1-2 months to fully recover and leave the hospital). for running).
Sarah Bradley is a freelance writer from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and three sons. Her feature articles and personal essays on parenting and women’s health have appeared in the Washington Post’s On Parenting, Real Simple, Women’s Health, The Writer, Today’s Parent, Romper, and elsewhere. In her so-called “free time,” Sarah is an amateur baker, homeschooler, and aspiring novelist.
