Q How do you treat bunions? A: Bunions tend to get worse if left untreated. Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of bunions. These include: • Changes in shoe wear. If you often wear shoes that hurt your bunion, your first step may be to buy new footwear that have a wide toe box. • Padding. Placing pads over your bunion can help reduce pain. These can be purchased at most drugstores. • Activity modification. Avoid activity that causes bunion pain, such as standing for long periods of time. • Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, are recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. • Icing. Applying an ice pack to your bunions several times a day will help reduce inflammation and pain. If your bunions get worse, talk to a foot and ankle surgeon about other options. Together, you can decide if surgery is best for you. Sources: American Podiatric Medical Association; National Institutes of Health Dealing with bunion or foot and ankle pain? Call 402-844-8366 to schedule an appointment, or scan the QR code to learn more. Q Who is at risk of getting bunions? A: These uncomfortable bumps affect about a third of all Americans. You’re at higher risk of developing a bunion if you: • Are a woman. • Are older. • Have arthritis or flat feet. • Have a job that puts a lot of stress on your feet. • Have a family history of bunions. You don’t inherit the bunions themselves, but instead a type of foot that is prone to forming them. • Wear shoes that are too tight or force your toes to squeeze together. • Walk in a way that puts pressure on the joint at the base of your big toe. Zackary Gangwer, DPM, FACFAS, FACFAOM, a foot and ankle surgeon, examines a patient’s foot. FRHS.ORG 13
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