Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst-Line TreatmentComplementary TherapiesSelf-Care TipsSurgical OptionsWalking with Bunion PainPhysical Therapy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

First-Line Treatment

Complementary Therapies

Self-Care Tips

Surgical Options

Walking with Bunion Pain

Physical Therapy

Bunionsare painful, bony bumps that develop on the inside of the feet near the joint in the big toe or near the base of the little toe. Several treatment options are available for bunions depending on their severity and how they affect a person’s quality of life. When a bunion develops, it can change the shape of the foot. The bone joint begins to stick out, forming the bunion. It can be excruciatingly painful and cause nerve damage in the big toe if it’s big enough.

This article will discuss the treatment options associated with early bunions (or bunionettes) as well as complementary therapies and surgical options for those with severe and debilitating bunions.

Bunions and Overlapping Toes

First-Line Treatment for Early Bunions (and Bunionettes)

Bunions do not go away on their own, so finding a therapy that helps to relieve symptoms is the best way to treat yours. The first-line treatment for bunions does not act as a cure but can relieve some of the symptoms.

Typically, treatment focuses on improving pain levels and can include:

Toe Spaces and Other CorrectorsCorrectors, such as toe spaces or shoe inserts, are wearable devices designed to reduce pain while correcting the physical changes that occur in the feet because of bunions. These devices are available online and can be found at many pharmacies or department stores. Some other examples of correctors include:Bunion guardsCushionsWrapsSocksSplintsProtective foot sleeves

Toe Spaces and Other Correctors

Correctors, such as toe spaces or shoe inserts, are wearable devices designed to reduce pain while correcting the physical changes that occur in the feet because of bunions. These devices are available online and can be found at many pharmacies or department stores. Some other examples of correctors include:Bunion guardsCushionsWrapsSocksSplintsProtective foot sleeves

Correctors, such as toe spaces or shoe inserts, are wearable devices designed to reduce pain while correcting the physical changes that occur in the feet because of bunions. These devices are available online and can be found at many pharmacies or department stores. Some other examples of correctors include:

The 6 Best Products for Bunion Support, Tested and Reviewed

Complementary Bunion Therapies

The correctors mentioned above are one example of complementary bunion therapy. That said, there are other things a person can do regarding their lifestyle that can help improve bunion pain.

Some lifestyle changes that may help include:

Choosing the Right TherapyThere is no one-size-fits-all approach because the severity of a bunion can vary greatly. Because of that, it’s best to speak to a healthcare provider to get advice on which complementary therapy is right for you.

Choosing the Right Therapy

There is no one-size-fits-all approach because the severity of a bunion can vary greatly. Because of that, it’s best to speak to a healthcare provider to get advice on which complementary therapy is right for you.

Foot Problems People Mistake for a Bunion

Bunion Self-Care Suggestions

Self-care is an integral part of bunion treatment because it helps to reduce the risk of the bunion worsening over time and helps to keep pain at bay.

Self-care starts withwearing the right shoesand avoiding the wrong ones, such as high heels or other pointed and small-toe shoes. The best shoes to wear for self-care include:

Other self-care methods for when the bunion hurts the most include:

Why Your Bunions Keep Coming Back and What You Can Do About It

Surgical Bunion Options for Severely Inflamed Bunions

Althoughsurgery is the only way to cure a bunion, it is often reserved for the most severe cases that affect a person’s ability to participate in day-to-day activities. Surgery will correct the bunion and help reduce pain.

There are several types of surgery, each of which applies to a different scenario. A person’s overall level of health, age, physical activity, and how badly the bunion has damaged the joint and foot all factor into consideration before choosing surgery.

Recovering from Bunion Surgery

What Helps With Bunion Pain While Walking?

Pain while walking is a common complaint among people with bunions. Because of that, it can make it difficult to continue with daily activities that you can perform before the bunion develops. While walking, the best thing you can do to reduce pain is to wear the right shoes. This will give your foot ample room, reducing the pressure on the bunion, and thus, the pain. Ice and over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typical options for managing pain.

Avoiding TreatmentWithout treatment, bunions will worsen over time. This is why it’s crucial to have your bunion assessed to find the right therapy for you.

Avoiding Treatment

Without treatment, bunions will worsen over time. This is why it’s crucial to have your bunion assessed to find the right therapy for you.

Bunion Physical Therapy

Physical therapyis another complementary treatment that people with bunions can utilize. Footexercisesand specific movements can:

Specific physical therapy exercises that can help include:

You should perform each exercise for five seconds and repeat them until the muscles are too tired to continue.

Physical Therapy for Your BunionBefore you attempt any exercises at home, you should see a physiotherapist or other healthcare provider to ensure that it is safe for you. They can also give you more activities to do as your foot progressively improves.

Physical Therapy for Your Bunion

Before you attempt any exercises at home, you should see a physiotherapist or other healthcare provider to ensure that it is safe for you. They can also give you more activities to do as your foot progressively improves.

Is Physical Therapy Needed After Bunion Surgery?

Summary

Bunions can be excruciating to cope with and affect a person’s day-to-day life. When large enough, they can even lead to issues with mobility and walking. Though surgery is the only way to cure a bunion, other treatment options can improve pain and mobility.

Because bunions can worsen over time, the best thing you can do is see a healthcare provider if you notice one developing. The quicker you begin treatment, the easier it will be to avoid the worst type of bunions and bunion surgery.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Menz HB, Lim PQ, Hurn SE, et al.Footwear, foot orthoses and strengthening exercises for the non-surgical management of hallux valgus: protocol for a randomised pilot and feasibility trial.J Foot Ankle Res.2022 Jun 3;15(1):45. doi:10.1186/s13047-022-00553-4University of California San Francisco Health.Bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Washington University Orthopaedics.Bunions.Bunion: Strengthening foot muscles to reduce pain and improve mobility.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther.2016 Jul;46(7):606. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0504

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Menz HB, Lim PQ, Hurn SE, et al.Footwear, foot orthoses and strengthening exercises for the non-surgical management of hallux valgus: protocol for a randomised pilot and feasibility trial.J Foot Ankle Res.2022 Jun 3;15(1):45. doi:10.1186/s13047-022-00553-4University of California San Francisco Health.Bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Washington University Orthopaedics.Bunions.Bunion: Strengthening foot muscles to reduce pain and improve mobility.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther.2016 Jul;46(7):606. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0504

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Menz HB, Lim PQ, Hurn SE, et al.Footwear, foot orthoses and strengthening exercises for the non-surgical management of hallux valgus: protocol for a randomised pilot and feasibility trial.J Foot Ankle Res.2022 Jun 3;15(1):45. doi:10.1186/s13047-022-00553-4University of California San Francisco Health.Bunion.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.Washington University Orthopaedics.Bunions.Bunion: Strengthening foot muscles to reduce pain and improve mobility.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther.2016 Jul;46(7):606. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0504

Menz HB, Lim PQ, Hurn SE, et al.Footwear, foot orthoses and strengthening exercises for the non-surgical management of hallux valgus: protocol for a randomised pilot and feasibility trial.J Foot Ankle Res.2022 Jun 3;15(1):45. doi:10.1186/s13047-022-00553-4

University of California San Francisco Health.Bunion.

Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about bunions.

Washington University Orthopaedics.Bunions.

Bunion: Strengthening foot muscles to reduce pain and improve mobility.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther.2016 Jul;46(7):606. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0504

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