Find out ways to stave off bunion pain and to prevent the need for surgery.

Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and it often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, causing it to stick out. This hard protrusion can make it uncomfortable or even painful to put on shoes or walk. Of course, bunion surgery isn’t recommended for correcting the deformity unless it’s severe. Luckily, our Torrance, CA, podiatrists Dr. Eric Feit, Dr. Alona Kashanian, and Dr. Pooya Lashkari can help you get your symptoms under control with these simple conservative treatment options.

Wear the Right Shoes

While not a treatment for quelling bunion pain exactly, wearing the right shoes is the best way to prevent symptoms from happening in the first place. Only wear shoes with a wide toe box that won’t bunch up toes or put pressure on the bunion.

In some cases, even with the right shoes, it might be a good idea to apply a non-medicated pad to the bunion before putting on shoes to prevent friction and discomfort.

Sometimes our Torrance, CA, podiatrists will prescribe custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, which will go inside the shoes to reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the bunion, as well as other areas of the feet. Orthotics can also provide cushioning and support for your feet.

Ice and Anti-Inflammatories for Flare-Ups

You may find that even with the best shoes sometimes walking around all day or being on your feet causes bunion pain and swelling to emerge. When this happens you have a few choices. You may choose to take a simple over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, which can reduce both pain and swelling temporarily or you may choose to ice the bunion (or both!).

Just make sure to always wrap an ice pack in a towel first and never apply ice directly to skin. Leave the ice on the bunion for no more than 15 minutes at a time. During this time, give yourself permission to kick up your feet and just relax.

When to Consider Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed when it comes to treating a bunion. It’s only time to consider surgery if your symptoms are persistent, severe and don’t respond to any other treatment options. This is not a cosmetic procedure, so you shouldn’t get a bunionectomy only if you want to improve the way your feet look. Of course, if you are dealing with serious symptoms we would be happy to discuss your treatment options with you.

Precision Foot and Ankle Centers have offices in Torrance, San Pedro, and Los Angeles, CA, to serve you better. If you are having trouble getting your bunion pain under control don’t hesitate to give your podiatrists a call.