Hallux valgus is a deformation of the foot formed by the removal of the head of the first metatarsal from the others. It usually forms when the shoes are tight, after an injury or due to a hereditary tendency of the bone structure. Eventually, the big toe joint widens and becomes painful, making both physical activity and walking difficult. This article discusses habits, home remedies, and medical interventions to help get rid of bunion.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Try some foot exercises
Exercises can help slow or even stop the progression of hallux valgus, avoiding the need for surgery. Try the following exercises every day, especially after taking off your shoes:
- Stretch your big toe. Use your hands to pull the big toe and align it correctly with the other toes.
- Stretch the other toes. Just spread them straight up for 10 seconds, then curl them up for another 10 seconds. Repeat several times.
- Flex your toes. Press them against the floor or a wall until they fold back. Keep them squeezed for 10 seconds, and then release them. Repeat several times.
- Use your toes to grab something. Practice by picking up a piece of clothing or a towel with your toes, drop it, and then pick it up again.
Step 2. Put on a bunion brace or shoe insert that realigns your toes
If you treat bunion in the early stages, a brace that you can buy at any orthopedics or pharmacy can help you relieve pain and direct the toe in the correct direction. Shoe inserts can also help realign the toes.
Step 3. Band your foot and toes in a natural position
The toes may return to their normal position after being bandaged for a week or two. Ask your doctor for more information if you intend to use this procedure.
Step 4. Relieve the pain
It's a good thing to do foot and toe exercises, but you also have to deal with the intense pain that bursitis causes. Relieve foot pain by following these exercises:
- Soak your feet in warm water. Prepare a tub of warm water and let your feet soak for 20 minutes. The heat relaxes the joints and temporarily relieves pain.
- Try an ice pack. For particularly inflamed joints, cold packs are a good choice. Fill a plastic bag with ice and wrap it in a thin sheet. Apply the ice pack at twenty-minute intervals several times a day.
- Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain.
Step 5. For mild to moderate bunions, a flexible splint brace like "Bunion-Aid" (also found on Amazon) has been scientifically proven to effectively correct bunion and relieve pain
Part 2 of 3: Treating Severe Bunions
Step 1. See a doctor
If you experience very severe pain that seems to be getting worse, or if your feet no longer fit in your shoes, contact a doctor right away. You can slow or stop the progression of hallux valgus, but it is actually not possible to cure it on your own.
Step 2. Take prescribed pain medication
In some cases, your doctor will advise you to make lifestyle changes and prescribe pain medication. To prevent hallux valgus from getting worse and worse, be sure to follow your doctor's advice.
Step 3. Consider surgery
As a last resort, opt for surgery that removes the bursitis, cuts the hallux valgus bone, and realigns it to the other toes. Surgery for bursitis is routine and is considered the only real cure.
- There are several types of surgery. Do research with your doctor to find out which one is best for you.
- Surgery usually helps bursitis, but does not guarantee that it will completely take away the pain, or restore the foot to its former appearance.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery, follow care and exercise to prevent pain and inflammation in the future.
Part 3 of 3: Changing the Lifestyle
Step 1. Begin walking barefoot
If you have an inherited propensity from one of your parents to have bunion or it is the result of a lifetime of wearing too tight shoes, spending as much time barefoot as possible can prevent and even cure bursitis.
- Walking barefoot, especially on rough terrain, strengthens the toes and allows the joints to work naturally. Walking on the sand is also good exercise for the feet.
- Going barefoot prevents tight-toed shoes from pushing the big toe towards the other toes.
Step 2. Make sure your shoes don't make the situation worse
While you may think they are comfortable for your feet, tennis shoes or other types of athletic footwear could also make the ailment worse. Wear orthopedic shoes that have more suitable padding and insoles. If you are unsure which type of shoe to buy, consult your doctor.
- Make sure your shoes are the right size. The tennis shoes you always wear may be half a size narrower, especially if you've been wearing the same size since you were twelve. Feet tend to widen over the years, especially if hallux valgus begins to form.
- Do not wear high heels or pointed shoes. They are cute, but heels and pointy shoes are terrible for bunions. They lead to further pain and prevent the bunion from healing. Wear looser sandals whenever you can.
Step 3. Avoid doing bursitis-inducing activities
Ballet, and other activities that require constricting shoes, can cause this problem. If you can't do this activity with shoes that better fit your feet, completely avoid doing it.
Advice
- Braces for the night, worn on the toes, can prevent children from developing bad bunions by correcting the position already as the bones grow. Since adult feet are already fully formed, these braces are not effective for treating bunions in adults.
- Flexible braces, such as "Bunion-Aid" realign the big toe, while maintaining the mobility of the foot. They are also used after surgery to maintain the position of the big toe surgically imposed and protect the wound.
