Everything You Need to Know About Bunion Pain

What Is Bunion Pain and Why Does It Happen?

The reason that bunions are painful is because the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which is at the base of the big toe, has become misaligned. The medical term for this is hallux valgus. It causes a person’s big toe to angle over towards the second toe. Thus, a noticeable bony bump forms on the side of one’s foot. The result of this misalignment is that there is pressure and friction on the joint. It is because of this pressure and friction that people experience inflammation, swelling, and are in a constant state of discomfort.

Pain from bunions can be mild, it could be severe, or be anywhere in between. Some people may only experience bunion pain occasionally, while others may be in pain most of the time. Generally, it occurs when people wear shoes that are either too tight are too narrow, or if they wear shoes that do not provide good foot support. Other things that are associated with bunion pain are due to the anatomy of one’s foot, family history of having bunions, as well as biomechanical imbalances.

What Does Bunion Pain Feel Like?

There isn’t one specific pain associated with bunions. It differs for people because of how severe the misalignment has become, as well as the structure of their foot. Some people experience aching; others complain of a throbbing and or a burning sensation. Yet others might describe their pain as sharp and a feeling of stabbing. This generally happens while they are walking, which puts pressure on their bunion.

There are other uncomfortable symptoms that people describe, such as obvious swelling and a reddish color. Another complaint is that the range of movement in their toes has become restricted. As the bunion gets worse, people can develop corns or calluses because the toes have become overlapped. Pain from bunions can worsen if you have been standing for a long time or are engaged in physical activity, while wearing shoes that do not fit correctly.

What Triggers or Worsens Bunion Pain?

There are several reasons for bunion pain to worsen. But the main reason for most people is because they wear poorly fitting shoes. Others experience pain because the heels of their shoes are too high, the toe boxes of their shoes are too narrow, and, in general, shoes with poor arch support which worsen the irritation and inflammation.

Being physically active, such as running or hiking while wearing shoes that do not provide good foot support, can make these uncomfortable symptoms much worse. Even simply standing for a long time can put strain on the joint. There are other inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, that can cause the joint to swell and become tender. These can make the bunion pain feel even more severe.

Change in the weather is another factor related to bunion pain. Some people say that their joint becomes more sensitive and stiffer when the weather is cold or when it feels damp. When someone gains weight, it can put more stress on the foot and hasten the worsening of the bunion. As long as you become aware of these causes, you will be able to make some adjustments to your everyday activities so that you will be much less uncomfortable.

How Can You Manage Bunion Pain Without Surgery?

There are several ways to manage your bunion pain. Wearing shoes that are made to accommodate bunions is key. Be sure to choose shoes that are low-heeled, have wide toe boxes, and provide good arch support. You can use orthotic inserts. Custom-made ones will help alignment improvement and can lessen the pressure on the joint.

If the area is inflamed and causes numbing pain, applying ice to the area will lessen the inflammation and the related pain. You can also use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. They can also give you some short-term relief from the swelling and the discomfort. Other tools available such as padding and bunion splints can lessen the friction and will be very helpful in supporting the correct alignment of the toe.

There are a few non-surgical remedies that are very helpful, particularly when you begin them early and do them on a regular basis. Foot exercises like toe stretches, towel curls and resistance band movements are very good at strengthening the muscles in the area of the bunion. They will also improve the functioning of the joint

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor for Bunion Pain?

The time to see a doctor to help with bunion pain is when it hinders your everyday activities or gets worse even though you are caring for your bunion on your own, as best as you can. Your podiatrist can determine how severe your bunion has become. He or she will examine your foot using x-ray imaging. Depending upon their determination, they will make some recommendations which can include custom orthotics, cortisone injections, and even physical therapy.

If these recommendations do not give you relief, it might be necessary to have surgery. Bunion surgery, bunionectomy, will realign the bones, ligaments, and tendons of your toe. There are a few different types of bunionectomy. Depending upon your symptoms, your general health, and the type of life you lead, your podiatrist will suggest the best one for you.

By having an examination by your podiatrist as early as you can, additional complications such as hammertoes, metatarsalgia, and joint degeneration can help lessen degeneration of the joint.