Bunions
Dealing with bunions
Firstly, just because you have a bunion does not mean you have to do anything. If it’s not bothering you, leave it alone. However, bunions can be painful and can have a big impact on your mobility. They can also cause people to become self-conscious of their feet.
Questions to ask yourself
In order to help measure how problematic your bunion is, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it painful every day?
- Does it restrict any of your activities e.g. work, getting to the shops, doing the housework, hobbies etc?
- Is it a deep and/or on the surface pain?
- Does footwear make it worse?
- Is it painful even without shoes on?
- Would you consider surgery?
There are a number of treatments which can be self administered, so your symptoms may be resolved without even seeing a health professional.
Adapt your footwear
As mentioned above, footwear can be a key factor in the development of bunions. On a foot without a bunion, the distance from the heel to the big toe joint is approximately two thirds of the total length of the foot. Shoe manufacturers make their shoes to these ratios. However, on a foot with a bunion, this length ratio changes to approximately three quarters. This explains why it can be difficult to get shoes to fit. An initial response is to buy a bigger shoe, but this means that the new shoe does not fit any other part of your foot and it can feel as though it will come off. Shoe stretchers and shoe modifications can help loosen the pressure areas and make your shoes more comfortable to wear.
Go to our comprehensive Footwear guide, particularly ‘the 10 second shoe test’, to find out how you can choose the right shoe for you.
Heat or ice packs
Heat packs
You may find that applying heat to the sore area helps relieve your pain and any associated muscular soreness. Use a microwaveable wheat bag or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Keep it on for 15 – 20 minutes, checking your skin regularly to minimise the risk of suffering burn. Repeat 2-3 times per day. Do not place heat on a swollen body part.
Ice packs
This can help to temporarily numb pain. Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel) to the area for up to 10 minutes, 2-3 times per day.
Pain medication
Pain medication may help to manage the pain, allowing you to keep mobile. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP for further advice.
Further Treatment
Podiatry
Not everyone needs to be seen by a podiatrist. However if you are struggling with pain, restricted function and the above treatments have not helped, then the next step would be to see your GP for a referral into The PhysioWorks (Foot & Ankle) Service. Initially, they will assess your problem and further investigate as necessary. Once they have a diagnosis then further management will be undertaken.