How To Treat Bunions

What Are Bunions?
Bunions are bony lumps that develop on the feet around the big toe joint which leads to changes of the structure of the joint and a deviation in the big toe. They can become extremely unsightly and cause pain and joint stiffness as they develop.

What are the Causes of Bunions?
Bunions can be hereditary – and it can often be seen that they occur to different members of the same family. Bunions can develop as a result of uneven weight bearing of the foot which can be because of musculoskeletal issues, or even alteration of the weight due to regular wearing of high heels. They can also develop as a result of prolonged wearing of ill-fitting and constricting footwear.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bunions?
A bunion tends to give the appearance of a bony swelling at the side of the big toe. Some of the signs and symptoms of bunions can also include:

• Enlarged joint at the side of the big toe
• Redness and inflammation around this joint
• Deviation of the big toe which inclines towards the 2nd toe
• Joint pain, stiffness and discomfort
• Arthritis of the big toe leading to hallux rigidus – inability to flex the toe
• Secondary skin disturbances including hard skin under the 1st and 2nd metatarsals
• Hard skin at the side of the bunion as a result of over-loading of the joint which in turn causes the callus to build up
• Hard skin at the tip or apex of the 2nd toe
• Development of corns in the pressure points of the hard skin
• Pressure with tight fitting footwear as a result of the foot increasing in width with the increase of the size of the joint
• If left untreated, you may start to notice increasing pain and difficulty with the fit of your shoes.

How to Treat Bunions
Most people don’t realise that there are many excellent treatments that can help to improve the appearance and alleviate bunion pain and the associated symptoms. A bunion can be unsightly as well as painful, especially if it has become advanced and inflamed but although you cannot reverse wear and tear and changes of the joint which have led to the bunion, you can help to slow the future deterioration of the joint by using the Margaret Dabbs London Bunion Support. This works in a similar way to physiotherapy, and trains the big toe to move back into the correct alignment. This preventive care can also work to help to avoid the need for future surgery.

When the reason for the development of a bunion is due to musculoskeletal issues, then seeing a podiatrist for a biomechanical assessment and prescription orthotics will work to realign the gait and prevent the otherwise natural occurrence of the bunion from forming. These orthotics are worn inside footwear and this can all be diagnosed and treated in a 45 minute consultation with the podiatrist.

Podiatrist treatments to alleviate pain and stiffness of the joints can include lower level laser therapy which is prescribed as a course of three thirty minute treatments over the course of a week. When immediate relief is obtained this is particularly effective when combined with the prescription of bespoke insoles or orthotics.

A podiatrist at Margaret Dabbs London will also prescribe an exercise routine to perform at home to keep the bunion joints and big toe mobile which further slows the deterioration of the joints and this works particularly well in conjunction with the Margaret Dabbs London bunion support which should be worn regularly at home. The more mobile you can make the joint the slower the deterioration and the onset of arthritis in the joint. Ongoing wear and tear changes in the joint cause stiffness and reduce joint mobility further leading to a condition called hallux rigidus which is a loss of flexibility in the joint. This is the reason foot exercises can be so helpful.

Bone and joint manipulation again performed by the Margaret Dabbs London HCPC registered podiatrist can also help for inflammation around the joint. The use of Witch Hazel on a gauze dressing can reduce the redness and bursae which will be diagnosed by your Podiatrist. The at-home daily use of Margaret Dabbs London intensive Treatment Foot Oil which contains emu oil sprayed and massaged over the bunion joint will reduce bone and joint inflammation and ease the pain use daily will work on the bone and joint inflammation to reduce this.

Reduce pain and inflammation around the joint with the Intensive Treatment Foot Oil applied and massaged over the joint twice a day and use the Bunion Support as often as you can, especially in the evening before bed as it will help to realign the big toe, keep the joint mobile and slow the future deterioration of the joint. It is comfortable and supportive to wear and will also ease the pain associated with the joint.