Find Relief for Painful Bunions

From climbing steps with heavy groceries to those intense weekend runs, our feet take quite the beating. So no wonder that as many as 25 percent of people have bunions, according to WebMD. While this is a condition more commonly found in women than men, anyone can develop this common foot deformity. From the office of our Danbury, CT, podiatrists Dr. Joseph Treadwell, Dr. Christian Davis, and Dr. Rihamary Jimenez, here are ways to reduce bunion pain without resorting to surgery,

Take Over-the-Counter Painkillers

For those moments when bunion pain really sets in and makes it difficult to get around you may want to turn to a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication such as ibuprofen, which can temporarily alleviate both pain and swelling. While this won’t fix the problem it can ease symptoms after a particularly busy or active day.

Wear Bunion Pads

Since your bunion sticks out further than the rest of your foot it’s prone to calluses. To prevent shoes from rubbing against the bunion and causing discomfort, apply a non-medicated bunion pain over the area before wearing shoes. This can protect the skin and prevent irritation.

Choose Sensible Shoes

While the verdict is still out as to whether or not high heels cause bunions, the fact remains that wearing high heels, shoes with pointed toes, and shoes that bunch up toes can exacerbate the problem. To give your feet the support they need opt for shoes with a wide toe box and with heels that are no more than 2 inches tall.

Place Orthotics into Your Shoes

Orthotics or shoe inserts are placed within the shoes to help improve the alignment of the bones in the foot. It can also take pressure off the bunion to reduce pain and swelling. Our Danbury, CT, podiatrists can create custom orthotics that specifically fit the structure of your feet to reduce bunion pain and other foot problems.

Serving the New Britain, Bristol, Southington, Farmington, New Fairfield, and Ridgefield, CT, areas, and with offices in Plainville, Danbury, and New Milford, CT, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Connecticut can provide you with the foot and ankle care you are looking for. Call our podiatrists today.