Treating Bunion Pain with Insoles

What is a Bunion Pain?

A bunion is a bony bump that will form on the joint, usually right at the base of the big toe. It will occur when some of the bones found right at the front of the foot start to move out of place. This can cause the tip of the big toe to get pulled to the smaller toes and will force the joint at the base there to stick out.

This movement can cause some irritation to the skin, which is why you may notice it is sore and red. Wearing tight, narrow shoes will often either cause a bunion or can make it worse. They can also develop due to the natural shape of the foot, a medical condition like arthritis, and foot deformities.

The symptoms and signs of a bunion will include:

• Limited movement in the big toe
• Pain. This can be occasional pain or ongoing pain
• Corns or calluses. These can be most common in the area where the first and the second toe start to rub against one another.
• Soreness, redness, and swelling around the joint of the big toe
• A bulging bump is found on the outside of the big toe

You may see one or more of these present when a bunion begins to form. The longer you try to ignore the problem, the more inflamed and irritated it can become. If your pain is ongoing and you find it hard to find shoes or move around from the bunion, it is time to talk to your doctor.

How to Treat Bunion Pain with Insoles?

When you are suffering from bunions, it is a good idea to look at all of the options that are available to treat the condition and make your feet feel better. The solution that you choose to go with will depend on the amount of pain and how bad the condition is in your feet. Some of the steps that you can take to treat your bunion pain include:

Try Pads and Splint Treatment for Bunion Pain

The first thing to consider is a bunion pad or splint. These are devices that are easy to gain access to and you will just place them on the foot to help treat some of the symptoms of bunions. Depending on the type that you get, they may be able to reduce the malalignment that you have in the feet.

These may seem similar, but they will be a bit different in how they will work.

• A bunion splint will be able to actively push the big toe into better alignment. This can help to relieve some of the pain that you feel and will give you a bit of relief.
• A bunion pad will provide a bit of cushion for the bunion against the shoe to remove the pressure and irritation. They can relieve pain, but you need to make sure they are not too thick, or that will increase the pressure.

Your doctor may recommend that you try these first to see whether they are effective for your feet. For some cases of bunions, they may be perfect. Other times you will need to move ahead with another option to make the feet feel better.

Consult Your Doctor for Specific Instructions on How to Use Insoles to Treat Bunion Pain

Many patients are going to need to get a pair of custom orthotics to help them deal with their bunions. These are specialized insoles that are going to provide you with the support that you need, no matter how bad your bunion may be. There will be a number of steps that you can go through while at the doctor’s to make sure your feet get the care they need.

Some of these steps include:

• Get a comprehensive exam: The doctor will sit down and physically examine your foot. They will check where the bunion is and how bad the situation is. They can look for other conditions of the foot, such as low or high arches or pain in other locations as well and use this information to help make a diagnosis.
• Medical history: The doctor will need to take a look at your medical history. This will help them determine whether you have other conditions that need treatment too.
• Gait analysis: The doctor will take a look at your gait and the way that you stand and walk. They can then look at this to figure out what orthotic is going to work the best for you.
• 3D scan or mold; The doctor will then be able to do a 3D scan or a mold of your foot. This will ensure that you will be able to get a comprehensive look at the foot.
• Get the orthotic: This information is all sent to a lab and then a custom orthotic is designed. This can take two to four weeks to get the work done. The orthotic is then sent back to you and the doctor can make some adjustments to ensure that it fits you.

You can then wear the orthotic around and enjoy the benefits as well. In a few weeks, you should be able to notice that the bunion will decrease and feel better.

You Should Break in Your Insoles to Treat Bunion Pain

You will also need to take some time to break the insoles in. You may notice that they are a bit uncomfortable when you first get the insoles. This can be surprising to some people who are looking to get a pair and notice that they experience more pain than they should.

The breaking-in period can take a few weeks to accomplish. You should start out by wearing the insoles for a few hours on the first few days and slowly build up until you are able to wear them all day long. Make sure to wear the shoes that you plan to wear the most to ensure that they are going to fit for a long time.

Within a few weeks, you will find that the insoles will fit well and you will be able to wear them all the time, without a lot of pain and discomfort. And you will be amazed at how comfortable you can feel with your bunion.

Treating Your Bunions with Insoles

One of the best ways that you are able to work on your bunions and alleviate some of the pain that you have is to choose a good pair of insoles for the feet. These can take pressure off the area that is causing some problems and can ensure that the bunion has time to heal and won’t get worse.

When you are ready to work with a good pair of insoles to treat the pain that you feel from bunions, it is time to work with our team. We will be able to complete an exam of your foot to ensure that the bunions are treated well and that you can get some of the foot pain relief that you need. Trust our team to work with you for the best results.