Can Bunions Be Prevented? How?

Can bunions really be prevented? Bunions are one of the most frequent and painful deformities that occur in the feet. They can appear as a result of the use of inappropriate shoes on a daily basis, although it can also be a hereditary problem.

Do you want to know more about the causes that lead to its appearance? Would you like to know how you can prevent bunions? Well, keep reading.

Why do bunions occur?

A bunion is a bony bump that forms in the joint at the base of the big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front of the foot slip out of place.

This causes the tip of the big toe to point toward the smaller toes, causing the joint at the base of the big toe to stick out. Smaller bunions can also develop in the little toe joint, although this is not as common.

Among the causes that can favor the appearance of bunions we find the use of tight and narrow shoes. They can also be due to the shape of the foot, a foot deformity, or a disease such as arthritis. Likewise, we find a certain genetic component.

In principle, it is not a serious problem, but it is very annoying, so we recommend that if you notice the bump on your foot and feel pain, you go to the doctor immediately. In addition, although it is not very frequent, it can sometimes present complications, such as certain inflammations.

Treatment

The best known treatment for this ailment is surgery. This is the favorite of a large number of people, since it allows us to definitively and safely eliminate this problem. It is estimated that only in Spain around five thousand of these surgeries are performed each year.

The most requested by patients is percutaneous. This involves a much smaller incision and the aesthetic results are more satisfactory, both for patients and surgeons.

However, depending on the severity of your case, your doctor may prefer to try other more conservative methods that can help relieve pain and pressure. If this doesn’t work, surgery will surely be suggested. Some of the treatments are:

• Roomy and comfortable shoes that leave enough room for your toes.
• Fillers or special pads for bunions, sold in pharmacy. These act as a shock absorber between the foot and the shoe, thus helping to relieve pain.
• Some medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium.
• Cushioned insoles that help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet. This can help reduce symptoms and prevent the bunion from getting worse.
• Applying ice to the bunion after it has been standing too long or if it becomes inflamed. This can help relieve pain and inflammation. However, we advise you to consult with your doctor before applying ice in case you have circulation problems.

Can bunions be prevented?

The best way to prevent bunions is to do something as simple as wearing comfortable shoes every day. Therefore, the ideal would be to avoid the use of heels.

However, if you want to do so, it would be best not to wear them for long periods of time and, if possible, not daily.

When wearing heels, it is advisable to take breaks to rest every so often, as well as avoid standing for a long time in them. Otherwise, the appearance of pain and the accentuation of other discomforts are promoted.

In addition, it is recommended that the heel does not exceed six centimeters in height. And is that when they are very high, the toes are pushed towards the tips of the shoe and the big toe is completely compressed between the shoe and the other toes, and even more so if the shoe has a narrow toe.

Therefore, the footwear to wear most often is low-heeled. In addition, it is recommended that the tip is comfortable and that it allows the fingers to be loose and can move with some freedom.

Also, in popular culture, it is believed that soaking your feet in a bowl of warm salt water can help reduce foot pain. Although there are no studies to prove such a claim, it is true that it is a remedy that has been used for a long time and that also usually produces pleasant sensations.

To take into account to relieve and prevent bunions

In case you already have a bunion or it is beginning to come out, try to go to your doctor and follow his instructions. The professional will tell you what you should do in your day to day to feel better. Also, if he considers it, he will prescribe you, as we have seen, anti-inflammatory medications and some analgesics that help with the pain.

Additionally, you may  seek relief in physical therapy. This, accompanied by the use of cushioned insoles, can be another effective measure to calm, a little, the pain that occurs when the shoe rubs against the foot.

In any case, what you should never do is do nothing, since as we have seen, this disease could present complications, in addition to being very annoying. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to eliminate the problem and the less discomfort you will feel.

We hope that now that you know how to prevent bunions and how annoying this disease can be, you will listen to us and start wearing comfortable shoes. Your feet and your health will thank you.