How to Relieve Foot Pain Caused by Bunions

A friend of mine complains a lot about her bunions. Her case has become all too familiar for me, as I have heard of similar complaints from so many other people, including two of my cousins. And in all these cases that I've heard of, the common cause was the wearing of ill-fitting shoes. So what exactly are bunions?

Bunions are tender, painful enlargement of joint tissues at the big toe's base. Since the entire big toe is now inclined toward the others, the enlargement seems larger than it really is. Bunions are far more common in women than in men, and usually develop at the same time on both feet. The usual cause is an abnormal alignment or dislocation in part of the bone at the base of the big toe. This is made even worse by high-heeled, tight or pointed shoes.

During walking, a narrow shoe subjects the joint to an increased friction and pressure. Pointy shoes do the same by inclining the end of the big toes toward the others. This makes the joints more protuberant and more subject to pressure irritation. The irritation of the damaged structures stimulates overgrowth of all involved tissues. As the irritation continues, the deformity becomes greater. In severe cases, the big toe is almost entirely dislocated from the corresponding bone of the foot.

My friend and all the others who I know suffer from bunions have good reason to complain. Depending on the severity of the deformity, bunions can make walking both tiring and painful. Swollen bunions may become so large that no shoe will fit over them. There have been indications likewise that bunions can hasten the beginning of osteoarthritis in the joint.

The problem caused by bunions can become irreversible in a fairly brief time. For this reason, bunions have to be treated at such time that they first appear. Consequently, wearing properly-fitting and comfortable shoes at all times is very important. Specifically, wear shoes that will allow the big toes to assume their normal straightforward position. Using soft padding between the big toe and the second toe can also help. Walking barefoot whenever possible can also help a lot; this can ease the pressure on the joint and thus help the inflammation to abate. In mild cases, rest and a hot foot bath will bring relief. Later, the calloused skin may be pared away and the affected area covered by a bunion plaster.

Standard orthopedic surgery is sometimes necessary, especially for an enlarged and chronically inflamed bunion. This is designed to take away the bony protrusion and realign the disfigured joint. However, this surgery, called bunionectomy, may leave the tissues tender and sensitive as before. [Read the Original Article]