Forming a bunion. What can I do?

If you notice the joint that is responsible for connecting your foot to your big toe has a sore, swollen bump, it is possible that you suffer from bunions. Bunions form on more than one-third of American women, and it generally comes from wearing narrow, tight shoes as well as high heels; however, they can also be hereditary. When it comes to bunions, the base of your big toe grows in size and sticks out from the rest of the foot a bit. The skin that covers this joint may turn red and become tender to the touch. Bunions can become painful enough to make wearing shoes very difficult.

The affected joint is one that flexes with each step that you take, and this means that the larger the bunion is allowed to become, the more pain you will experience when you walk. Swelling may soon begin, and then the big toe might be angled toward your other toes or even shift all of the way beneath them. The skin found beneath the foot could also become thicker and painful. The pressure being dealt from your big toe might move the second toe totally out of alignment and make it cross over the third toe. This means that untreated bunions can cause your foot to become deformed. Eventually, without treating it, your bunion may make it difficult to even walk. The end result could mean chronic pain and even arthritis.

Getting Relief from Bunions

Most of the time, a bunion will be treatable without any surgery. That said, prevention is the best way to avoid the issue altogether. In order to reduce the chances of getting bunions, it is important not to force on a shoe that is obviously too tight or does not fit correctly. It is good to buy shoes that are a similar shape to your foot. Shoes with wide insteps are ideal, as are soft soles and broad toes.

If you are already suffering from bunions, wearing shoes that have enough room will help reduce the pressure placed on it and should relieve some of the pain. You can even have shoes professionally stretched and insert protective pads that can serve as a cushion.

Additionally, as a preventive measure or as treatment, exercises, stretches and toe spacers found on foot alignment socks can help to move the big toe back out to its more natural position.  This will also keep the other toes from being moved out of alignment by the big toe, provide increased circulation, and a gentle stretch for all of the toes.  Both stretches and foot alignment socks can be performed both in the mornings and in the evenings and toe spacer socks can even be worn while sleeping once the person wearing them's toes adjust to that amount of time.

What about teens with foot issues?

In teens, especially those between the age of 10 to 15, the chance of getting a bunion is also moderate to high. Fortunately, for teenagers that have bunions, it is easier for them to move the joint, which is not often the case for adults. Still, your teen can get relief from bunions by wearing wider shoes or having their toes stretched a bit both through exercises and by foot alignment socks. Having surgery for those with adolescent bunions is not recommended unless there is intense pain that is debilitating or changing their shoes does not work at all. This is because if your teen has bunion surgery before they have a chance to heal, there is a good possibility that the issue will only return later in life.

What are Bunionettes?

Bunionettes are also something to be aware of. Bunionettes are smaller and tend to form on the outside of the foot along the base of the pinky toe instead of the big toe. Also called a tailor's bunion, it is a painful lump that is usually swollen. Wearing shoes that do not properly fit or are too tight can cause them. Comfortably fitting shoes with spacious toes and soft uppers are recommended. If the area becomes severely deformed or the pain is significant, then surgery might be considered.

When to See a Doctor for Bunions

In the event that your bunion has persisted and not responded to homeopathic methods of foot pain relief, you might have to consider talking with your doctor who may recommend surgery. Having bunion surgery means that the bone will be realigned with the tendons, ligaments and nerves, allowing the toe to come back to its rightful spot. Orthopedic surgeons are able to reduce the pain as well. They can typically be done in one visit and only uses ankle block anesthetic. It will take around three to six months to recover, meaning it is important to begin treating the issue right away.

The Original Foot Alignment Socks are able to place a gentle stretch to all of the right spots, including both joints where bunions or bunionettes are most likely to occur. Because of this, you can help move the joint back into place while also separating the toes to help make room for the realignment to take place.