Unlike an acute foot injury, bunions tend to develop slowly over time. They typically start off mild and without symptoms, but if you don’t pursue treatment, odds are the condition will slowly progress. Eventually, you will get to the point where your bunion is noticeably worse than it was weeks or months ago, and you may be wondering what your options are now that it’s clear that treatment is necessary.
In today’s blog, we explain what you should do if you notice that your bunion is getting worse.
My Bunion Is Hurting More
As we’ve said on the blog in the past, you shouldn’t wait until your bunion has become more severe or painful before you begin to seek out aggressive treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely it is that you can avoid the need for surgery. That said, if you really didn’t notice the bony prominence forming on the outside outside of your big toe joint until it has started to hurt or it has become uncomfortable to stick your foot in your shoes, here’s what you should do.
1. Consult With A Foot Specialist – One of the best things you can do for your feet in this scenario is to reach out to your primary care physician or a foot specialist like Dr. Silverman. They’ll be able to take a closer look at your foot and determine the extent of the joint shifting. From there, they will be able to set you up with an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. Once your foot has reached the point where your bunion is painful or more severe, your best chance at responsive treatment is by connecting with a foot specialist.
2. Review Your Shoes – Ill-fitting shoes are oftentimes a common underlying cause of bunion formation or progression. If your shoes are too tight or narrow at the toe box, it can put abnormal pressure on your big toe joint, slowly pushing it out of its natural position. You’ll probably hear this advice from your doctor, but it’s important that you take a closer look at your shoes and switch to a wider option to prevent any further bunion progression.
3. Give Treatment Your All – The big toe joint isn’t going to shift back to its natural location with conservative methods, but it doesn’t mean that these treatments are worthless. In fact, these treatments may be the only way that you can avoid the need for surgery. Footwear changes, toe spacers, orthotic inserts and physical therapy can help to alleviate symptoms caused by your bunion and help you get to the point where the bunion is no longer causing noticeable discomfort. If you only passively pursue these treatments, the bunion will likely slowly progress, leading to an eventual need for surgery. If you want to avoid surgery, early intervention and committing to your conservative care routine are your best bets.