How To Easily Treat And Prevent Bunions

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment for bunions may be appropriate for patients who cannot alleviate their symptoms with conservative methods. Doctors generally recommend a bunion removal surgery, also called bunionectomy, for patients who cannot walk relatively short distances without foot pain and who have to limit other daily activities because of pain. More than one hundred different types of bunion removal surgery exist. Surgery includes both removing the bunions and realigning the toes, ligaments, and tendons in their normal position. Generally, surgical treatment for bunions can be carried out under local anesthesia, a form of anesthesia that numbs the affected area, where the patient remains awake during the operation. Often, patients can go home a few hours after their surgery. The time for complete recovery varies and can be as much as six months to one year after the procedure. For the first two or three weeks post-surgery, the foot will likely be in a cast or specialized boot to promote healing and keep weight off the foot.

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Pain Relief Medication

Pain relief medication can help patients with bunions feel more comfortable while walking and doing other daily activities. Individuals who experience occasional or mild pain due to bunions may wish to take an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and manage their pain. Some patients prefer to take acetylsalicylic acid, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Since these medicines can cause serious side effects, particularly with long-term use, individuals should always check with a physician about pain that does not improve after seven days of using over-the-counter medications. Using medicated creams is an alternative to oral medication that can provide effective pain relief for many patients, and these topical treatments generally have fewer side effects than oral medicines. In conjunction with medication, patients might want to try using a heating pad or ice pack on the affected area.

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