Tips for Easing Bunion Pain

If you have a bunion, you know this small bony mass on the side of your big toe can cause major pain. And this pain can severely limit your quality of life, making everyday tasks, like walking or buying shoes, painful and challenging. 

The bunion experts at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers can offer help. Our providers have years of experience leading men and women to relief from bunion pain. At our offices in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, our high skilled podiatry team has multiple options to address bunion pain — no surgery required. 

Keep reading to learn our top tips for easing bunion pain and how our team can help you.       

What are bunions, and why do I have them?

The term bunion describes a deformity that develops at the joint at the base of the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint. This bony protrusion is the result of your joint compressing and shifting out of place, causing your big toe to point in toward your other toes. 

At first, a bunion might look like a small bump or sore. But over time, as you keep walking and standing, the joint pushes further out of place, increasing the size of the bunion. Bunions can be quite painful, making your skin sensitive to touch. Bunions may also become red, inflamed, and swollen.  

Anyone can develop bunions, but some people have a greater risk of getting them than others. Here’s a look at a few factors that increase your chances of getting a bunion: 

• Improper footwear
• Family history of bunions
• Hypermobile feet
• Repetitive stress 
• Flat feet
• Some neurological disorders

Sometimes bunions are the result of arthritis, and a foot injury or trauma can also trigger the condition to develop. 

How can I ease bunion pain without surgery?

If you believe you have a bunion, don’t wait to see a provider at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers. Your expert evaluates your condition to determine the best course of bunion treatment based on your needs. 

While severe bunions sometimes require surgery to correct the deformity and help you find relief from pain, your provider only recommends it as a last resort. We recommend first trying our top tips for easing bunion pain: 

Wear the right shoes

When it comes to bunions, the leading contributor to their formation is wearing the wrong kind of shoes. People who wear tight shoes that push their toes together develop imbalances and misalignments in their joints. For example, high heels push your toes into an unnatural position, increasing the pressure they’re under and moving the joint out of position.

To ease your bunion pain or to prevent bunions from starting, consider looking for the right shoes for your feet. Your Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers provider can give you custom recommendations, but in general, look for comfortable shoes with a wide toe box to offer more space for your foot’s natural movement.

Customize your footwear

Buying and wearing the right shoes can help ease your bunion pain, but you might also benefit from the help custom orthotics provide. These specially designed inserts are customized for your feet so they improve your balance by evenly distributing your weight and the pressure on your feet — and bunions.

Reduce inflammation

Much of the pain associated with bunions develops because of inflammation. With this swelling comes an increase in friction and significant pain. We recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation. If your bunion doesn’t respond, your provider may recommend corticosteroid injections to quickly decrease inflammation and alleviate your pain.

Ice your feet

It may be simple, but icing your bunions when they cause you pain is incredibly effective at easing your pain. The cold works to minimize inflammation and swelling while also numbing your pain. We recommend applying an ice pack or cold compress to the affected area for 10-20 minutes at a time. 

For help with bunion pain, contact an expert at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers in Texas by calling the office nearest you or requesting an appointment online using our booking tool.