Bunions

Bunions are believed to form under a combination of lifestyle and hereditary factors rather than any one exact cause. Lifestyle factors that promote the development of bunions include wearing too-tight shoes that cram the toes, wearing high heeled shoes that disproportionately shift pressure onto the toes, and engaging in activities that make foot stress and injuries more likely. Hereditary factors include a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, natural foot type or shape, and any congenital foot deformities. You really can’t do any one thing to “cause” your bunion, but there are many things you can do to lower your chances of getting them. 

Because you can’t do anything to “cause” a bunion, you can’t really prevent them. However, you can successfully lower your risk of developing them by wearing shoes that fit well and give your toes enough space to move around. You may be advised to wear lower-heeled shoes, but if you must increase your height, it may be helpful to wear platforms that reduce the elevation of the heel above the toes. You can also practice foot strengthening exercises to reinforce the muscles and joints in your feet. 

Since a bunion is a progressive foot condition, it does not go away on its own. The only way to get rid of bunions is through surgery. However, every patient is different and not all bunions worsen or grow at the same rate. Some cases of bunions remain relatively mild and manageable at home without medical treatment, while some cases of bunions are severe enough to require intervention by your physician or podiatrist. Here are some effective remedies for relieving your bunion pain:

 • Wear comfortable shoes with a soft sole, a wide front that gives your toes enough space to move, and a low heel

 • Put a cold compress or ice pack on the bunion for 5 minutes 

 • Take over the counter pain medication for temporary relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen)

 • Insert bunion pads in your shoes for enhanced comfort

 • Lose excess weight if necessary

A benign case of bunions can be managed successfully with home remedies and sensible changes in lifestyle habits. However, you need to see your doctor if: the pain has not improved or appears to have worsened after home treatment, if the pain is severe enough to interfere with your daily routine and responsibilities, if your bunion appears to be getting larger or more inflamed, and/or if you have diabetes. Since diabetics have an increased risk of developing serious health complications in general, it is strongly recommended that they see a doctor right away if they suspect any problem with their feet. 

A bunion is not something that will go away on its own, but if your bunion is minor it can be successfully managed with dedicated home treatment and sensible lifestyle adjustments. However, it is a progressive foot condition, which means that for most people under the usual conditions, the bunion will generally worsen over time. Serious complications may develop if bunions remain untreated, which include but are not limited to: 

 • Bursitis (the fluid-filled pads that cushion the affected joints become inflamed)

 • Hammertoe (the middle joints of the affected toe are bent and stiff)

 • Metatarsalgia (pain and swelling at the ball of the foot)

 • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot formation in one or more of the deep veins)

 • Peripheral nerve damage

 • Scar tissue on the affected area

 • Chronic inflammation and pain

 • Infection 

If you have diabetes, ignoring any type of foot problem can be extremely dangerous. Because of your condition, it is strongly advised that you seek treatment right away to avoid significant health problems down the road. 

The type of therapy recommended will depend on the severity of your bunions. Most cases of bunions should respond well to conservative treatments. Potential therapies include but are not limited to: 

 • Orthotics (custom prescription or over the counter specialized footwear or devices inserted into footwear)

 • Physical therapy (gait retraining and special exercises)

 • Anti-inflammatory medications

 • Ice therapy

 • Injectable medications

 • Surgery

It is important to note that the only treatment that effectively eliminates bunions is surgery. However, the extended downtime required after surgery is something most patients would prefer to avoid. For this reason, surgery is only recommended for severe cases of bunions that cannot be improved or managed with more conservative treatment methods. 

There are many types of surgical procedures for treating bunions. This may involve the removal of the dysfunctional bone and tissue growth, the repositioning of the affected bones and joints in the toe and foot, or a combination of both. The recommended procedure will depend on a number of factors, such as your age, health, lifestyle, and activity level. Everyone is different, so the length of downtime isn’t set in stone. The general rule of thumb is that full recovery can take between 6 to 16 weeks. Fortunately, new surgical methods have significantly shortened the downtime and potential complications for the vast majority of patients.

You can help your foot heal better by doing the following:

 • Elevate the operated foot and use a cold compress to reduce swelling

 • Avoid or drastically reduce activities that put weight on your operated toe (put the weight on your heel instead)

 • Keep your wound and bandages clean and dry (maybe even put a plastic bag over the foot when bathing)

 • Take it easy and get the help you need for daily chores

 • Take pain medication as prescribed

Finally, you should commit to maintaining sensible habits after your recovery is completed. This means wearing properly fitting shoes, avoiding or reducing activities that can cause stress or trauma to your feet, and giving your feet sufficient rest after your daily activities to prevent the potential recurrence of bunions.