5 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Bunions
Changing shoes. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space for your toes.
Padding. Over-the-counter, nonmedicated bunion pads or cushions may be helpful. They can act as a buffer between your foot and your shoe and ease your pain.
Medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help you control the pain of a bunion. Cortisone injections also might help.
Shoe inserts. Padded shoe inserts can help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet, reducing your symptoms and preventing your bunion from getting worse. Over-the-counter supports can provide relief for some people; others require prescription orthotic devices.
Applying ice. Icing your bunion after you’ve been on your feet too long or if it becomes inflamed can help relieve soreness and swelling. If you have reduced feeling or circulation problems with your feet, check with your doctor first before applying ice.Surgical procedures for bunions can be done as single procedures or in combination. They might involve:
Removing the swollen tissue from around your big toe joint
Straightening your big toe by removing part of the bone
Realigning one or more bones in the forefoot to a more normal position to correct the abnormal angle in your big toe joint
Joining the bones of your affected joint permanently
It’s possible that you’ll be able to walk on your foot right after a bunion procedure. However, full recovery can take weeks to months.
To prevent a recurrence, you’ll need to wear proper shoes after recovery. For most people, it’s unrealistic to expect to wear narrower shoes after surgery.
Talk to your doctor about what you can expect after bunion surgery.