How Can A Painful Bunion Be Treated?

Posted on Fri, 16 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 2 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor,

I have bunion in my leg for 4 months. I visit doctor she recommend me to buy shoes for that, but without any benefit. Please, what should I do to relief or healing?

Thank you so much
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery may be needed if severe.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Bunions that are painful and are causing you such distress during your routine work need to be surgically corrected. Nonsurgical treatments such as rest and wearing loose (wider) shoes or sandals can often relieve the irritating pain of bunions. Oral pain killers and local cold-pack application is sometimes helpful as well. Depending on the structure of the foot and severity of the bunion, custom insole orthotics can slow the progression of the bunion and address underlying biomechanical causes. Local injection of cortisone can also help to reduce the inflammation. I recommend you to -
*Wear sandles with a wide and deep toe box. This can often solve the problem and prevent you from needing more treatment.
*Wear felt or foam pads on your foot to protect the bunion.
* Wear sandles with Correct Toes spacers. Spacers to separate the first and second toes.

I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar