Find out the best treatment options for reducing bunion pain and discomfort.

It can be a challenge figuring out the ideal ways to reduce your bunion-related symptoms. If you are stumped, turn to your Casa Grande, AZ podiatrists Dr. Peter Myskiw and Dr. Dean Clement to find out the most common treatment options to help relieve your pain.

Conservative Measures

The first line of defense against treating any foot condition is to always start small and to progress to more aggressive treatments if the need calls for it. After all, who wants to go through longer or more intense treatments when simple at-home measures can do the trick? Here are some treatment options that your foot doctors in Casa Grande may recommend when you come in for care:

Medications

Not all medications need to be prescription strength in order to do the trick. Many patients find the relief they need with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can target both pain and inflammation.

Cold therapy

Whether you just don’t like the idea of taking medications or you are looking for another remedy to ease pain and swelling, applying ice to your bunion can also help with your symptoms. Of course, you never want to apply ice directly to the skin, which can cause severe burns. Always wrap an ice pack in a towel before applying to the bunion. You can ice the area for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time several times a day.

Stretching exercises

To reduce stiffness in the affected toe joint, you may want to consider performing a series of stretching exercises each day to improve the mobility of your joint. Talk to us about the best exercises you can perform to correct your foot’s form and function despite bunions.

Footwear and Orthotics

It may not seem important but the shoes you wear can certainly exacerbate any foot problems you have, including bunions. Throw away any shoes that don’t offer your feet enough support, that rub or irritate the bunion, or are too tight. Also, steer clear of high heels, which can put too much pressure on the sides of your feet.

Also, depending on your foot’s structure and the severity of your condition we may advise you to wear custom-made orthotics to help fix any biomechanical issues you may have that may be making your bunion symptoms worse.

If trying these at-home measures for a few weeks doesn’t provide you with the pain relief you thought it would then it’s time to talk to us about other options. Sometimes cortisone injections can be administered to alleviate pain around the base of the big toe. Those with severe bunions that cause chronic, debilitating pain may need to consider surgery.

We are here to answer all of your foot health questions. Schedule an appointment today with Foot and Ankle Center in Casa Grande, AZ.