Know how to best manage your bunion symptoms on your own. 

A bunion is a progressive foot deformity that can cause the joint at the base of the big toe to stick out and become painful. While at-home treatment options won’t get rid of your bunions, they can help you get your bunion symptoms under control. Our Carmel, IN, podiatrists here at Podiatry Associates of Indiana can easily determine whether you’re dealing with bunions.

Why You Should Treat Your Bunion 

While it’s true that the only way to truly get rid of a bunion is through corrective surgery, you’ll be comforted to know that there are strategies that you can put in place now to prevent the deformity from getting worse. Bunions can greatly impact mobility as well as cause long-term and persistent pain and discomfort. Older individuals with bunions are also more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle or become disabled as a result. If you’ve been diagnosed with bunions by our Carmel, IN, podiatrists, the very best thing you can do is protect the bunion from getting worse.

How to Manage Your Bunion 

There are several strategies for preventing a bunion from getting worse. Some of these conservative measures include,

• Wearing appropriate footwear that doesn’t put pressure on the bunion
• Applying a bunion pad to the area, especially when wearing shoes, to protect the area and prevent a callus from forming
• Using over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
• Icing the bunion several times a day to reduce pain and swelling
• Using toe separators or night splints to prevent bunion discomfort, particularly first thing in the morning
• Performing stretching and strengthening exercises for the feet, several times a day
• Wearing custom orthotics from our Carmel, IN, podiatrists to take pressure off your bunions while standing or during physical activity

When to See a Podiatrist 

If you don’t know whether you have a bunion or not, the best way to find out is to turn to our Carmel, IN, foot and ankle doctors. Once we’ve determined that you have a bunion we can map out a treatment plan that offers a lot of the conservative treatment options mentioned above. If your bunion pain is severe, not responding to home care, or impacting your quality of life, then it’s time to schedule an appointment with us. In more severe cases, a patient may require surgery to repair the deformed joint.

Worried about bunions? If so, our podiatrists are proud to provide comprehensive care, including bunion treatment, to the Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Plainfield, and Indianapolis, IN, areas. To schedule a consultation with our team, call Podiatry Associates of Indiana at (866) 344-FEET.