No one wants to deal with bunion pain. And many individuals are hesitant to seek medical treatment for conditions like bunions. As a result, this means that some bunion pain relief home remedies have become increasingly popular over time. But, crucially, do they work? Simply put: not really. While some home remedies may dull or mitigate bunion pain for short periods of time, the only way to alleviate bunion pain for good is to have the bunion surgically removed. We’ll explain further here:
Before we can address bunion treatments, it’s important to first review what a bunion is and how it develops. A bunion is a bony mass that forms alongside the big toe joint. Bunions occur when internal muscles, tendons, and joints become misaligned within the foot. The subsequent pressure forces the foot out of position and causes the bunion. Bunions may develop because of both genetic factors or lifestyle choices.
It can take years for a bunion to develop and to become noticeable. As such, many individuals may live with a bunion for long periods of time before it becomes painful. This, however, does not mean that you should ignore a bunion. Bunions tend to get larger and more painful with time. Worse, the longer a bunion is allowed to grow, the harder (and more expensive) it will likely be to treat.
Some common home remedies for dealing with bunion pain include:
In general, these measures may offer a person with bunion pain some short-term relief. For instance, pads, sleeves, and other shoe inserts may cushion a bunion and dull some pain caused by daily activities (like walking). Similarly, a toe corrector may hold a person’s foot in place and prevent a bunion from developing further. However, no home remedy has the power to reduce, reverse, or remove a bunion or bunion pain. The only way to get rid of a bunion for good is through surgery.
The good news for individuals with bunions is that, while home remedies may not be effective at reducing bunion pain, minimally invasive surgery absolutely is. Minimally invasive bunion surgery is a safe and efficient out-patient procedure. In many instances, the surgery will involve both the removal of the bunion and the correction of the misalignment that caused the problem in the first place. Best of all, recovery time for minimally invasive bunion surgery is much shorter than traditional surgical methods. Most of our patients are able to walk out of the operating room and resume many daily activities immediately following the procedure.
If you’re tired of suffering from painful bunions, but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks of a traditional bunionectomy, then minimally invasive surgery could be the perfect solution for you!
At Northwest Surgery Center, we have years of experience addressing bunions and other foot-related health issues. We’re leaders in the field of minimally invasive surgery, and we can help you get back to living life free from foot pain ASAP. Contact us here to learn more or to schedule a consultation today.