How To

How to Relieve Bunions

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(9 Ratings)

Women are much more likely than men to get bunions because of narrow-toed shoe fashion. If a bunion is allowed to worsen, the big toe may eventually come to rest under the second toe. Bunions, when ignored, can result in a crippling deformity.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Wear shoes with plenty of toe room. If your shoe is not shaped like a human foot, don't wear it.

  2. Step 2

    Go barefoot as much as possible. This reduces pressure on the big toe.

  3. Step 3

    Buy custom-made shoes if your physician advises it. Shoes can be designed to help properly position the big toe.

  4. Step 4

    Ask your doctor about special bunion pads and dressings available by prescription to protect your toes from shoe pressure. You can also buy bunion pads at the drugstore.

  5. Step 5

    Elevate your foot and ice your big toe if the bunion is red and sore. Put the ice on for 20 minutes, every hour, until the bunion feels less painful. Do not apply ice directly; always use an ice pack, ice bag or compress.

  6. Step 6

    Ask a doctor about getting a steroid injection and local anesthetic in your bunion to reduce inflammation. This shot is occasionally given when the bunion is causing bursitis, which is the inflammation of the bursa, or saclike joint covering.

  7. Step 7

    Ask your doctor to apply splints or digital orthotics to reposition your big toe. Orthotics are devices that act as aids in improving body mechanics.

  8. Step 8

    Get a prescription for an orthotic that will correct your foot function.

  9. Step 9

    Consult your doctor about bunion surgery to correct foot deformities.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult a physician before self-treating foot problems.
  • If severe swelling, redness, heat or pain persist for two days, or if you see a break in the skin and feel feverish, contact a physician.
  • This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments  

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peterpan56 said

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on 5/10/2008 Magnetic shoes will do nothing for the treatment of bunions. Magnets have been show to help control pain. There is no medical evidence anywhere that magnets can help cure anything.
http://health-pictures.com/bunion-picture.htm

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 It may sound crazy, but magnetic shoes honestly work. They relieve the stress put on bunions and help them slowly but effectively reduce and cure. This is a cheap and great way of getting rid of those irritative bunions!

Magnetic shoes are available from all sorts of shoes retailers and from online shops!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Wear the extremely fashionable wraparound slouch shoes that will cure your bunions in no time!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Massage with Ibuprofen gel when bunions are swollen and hurting, before wearing shoes and especially afterward. That helps a lot, as does an ice-pack (a pack of frozen peas is good) for 5 minutes or so every hour. The massage needs to be for quite a long time though - husband gets bored after 10 minutes but I'd prefer an hour!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 A good foot massage can help bunions. One of the muscles that becomes tight from wearing high heeled shoes, or keeping your feet in plantar flexion too often, is the flexor hallucis longus. It originates at the posterior middle shaft of the fibula and inserts into the posterior or bottom surface of the big toe. When this muscle (and others like it) become tight and overused, they will shorten and start to pull the big toe with them, causing the toe to laterally deviate. By massaging this muscle in the early stages of the bunions, you can help prevent further pain and discomfort. Also, stretching of the calf muscles is a very good way to help with the pain. It will also help with the range of motion in the ankle. Massaging will not make the bunions go away, but it is a good way to prevent them from getting any worse. I am a massage therapist (in training) and I tried this on my mother. We have seen a huge difference in the bunions on her feet, and her pain level has decreased a ton.

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