Bunions is a bony protrusion that forms at the base of the big toe joint. Bunions can be caused by various things, mstarting from heredity, the use of narrow-sized shoes and high heels too often, until disease rheumatoid arthritis.
Bunions can change the bone structure of the foot, as well as cause pain and swelling. Bunions need to be treated appropriately, because the pain can cause discomfort and even make it difficult to walk.
How to Overcome Bunions
To treat symptoms of pain or swelling in bunions, there are various things you can do, namely:
1. Wear shoes that fit and are comfortable
To minimize pressure and pain, wear shoes that fit well and are comfortable. Choose shoes with a wide toe with a soft sole, and avoid wearing high heels so bunions don't get worse.
2. Wearing bearings or padding on shoes
Using silicone or gel pads when wearing shoes can help reduce pain from bunions. However, make sure the pads used are snug and comfortable. If the pads aren't the right size, the pressure on the bunions can actually make the pain worse.
3. Using a toe splint
splint or splint bunion is a special tool that is claimed to be able to repair bunions or straighten toes. Splints can be worn at night and should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
4. Apply a cold compress to bunions
To reduce swelling and pain, you can apply a cold compress to the bunions for at least 20 minutes. Compressions can be applied after prolonged standing or when the bunions become inflamed.
5. Taking painkillers
To help relieve pain, you can take pain relievers, such as: paracetamol. While in the case of bunions caused by arthritis, you need to take medication from a doctor to help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.
If the pain caused by bunions does not improve despite the above steps, or if the bunions make it difficult for you to walk, you should consult a doctor. Chances are the doctor will suggest surgery as a treatment.
Surgery is performed to realign the bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves, so that the big toe can return to its correct position. However, surgery is not recommended in adolescents because they are still in their infancy, where the risk of bunions growing back is quite large.
When bunions are painful or swollen, some of the tips above can be done to help relieve bunions complaints. However, if bunions are causing problems when walking or causing pain, you should immediately consult an orthopedic doctor so that further treatment can be carried out.