If you notice a bony protrusion at the base of your big toe, you likely have a bunion. But rest assured, you’re in good company. Around one-third of Americans live with bunions.
Thankfully, we’ve got advanced surgical approaches to correct bunions and relieve and eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms they cause, but an invasive option isn’t always necessary.
Our knowledgeable and compassionate podiatry team at Premier Foot & Ankle can confidently assess your bunion situation. If you don’t need surgery, we recommend a range of noninvasive treatment options to give you relief. Our team is dedicated to your foot health and treating you as an individual, never a number.
We noted that millions of people live with bunions, but that doesn’t mean the symptoms they cause are always easy to endure. Living with a bunion can mean:
Contributors to bunions include wearing ill-fitting shoes with pointed toes and tight toe boxes that compress your toes, working a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods, and conditions that cause inflammation, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There’s a strong hereditary component to developing bunions, and simple foot mechanics, like how you walk, can come into play as well. A previous foot injury can also make you more prone to bunions.
Women tend to be diagnosed with bunions more frequently because they often have histories of wearing tight, high-heeled shoes.
Though we’re fortunate to have surgical options for fixing a bunion, like Lapiplasty® 3D bunion Correction™ and minimally invasive bunion surgery, you might not need to go these routes.
Instead, your Premier Foot & Ankle provider may recommend easy, comfortable, and successful non-surgical options to stop the progression of your bunion.
Both steroids and anti-inflammatory medications can offer relief from bunion discomfort by addressing pain and swelling.
Visiting a physical therapist can provide relief with stretches and exercises that help strengthen your foot and better align your toes.
Opting for comfortable, well-padded shoes with wide toe boxes over constricting shoes can go a long way in relieving your bunion symptoms.
Taping or using bunion pads from the drugstore can ease pressure on your bunion. You can use medical tape to keep your toes correctly positioned, and a pad can protect your bunion from friction and the hard surfaces of your shoes.
Wearing a splint can also help keep your toes straight. Things like shoe inserts and custom orthotics provide good support and mitigate bunion discomfort.
MLS therapy is an innovative, FDA-cleared treatment that hastens healing by employing lasers to comfortably stimulate cell turnover and reduce inflammation.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re diagnosed with a bunion. Instead, rejoice in the fact that you’ve got many treatment options that can provide relief — and plenty of them don’t involve surgery!
Call one of our five convenient Texas locations today or book your appointment online anytime to find the best treatment option for you.
