Can Orthotics Correct My Bunions?

About one in three American adults has a bunion. Bunions develop when your big toe joint shifts out of alignment, causing a bony bump to form on the side of your foot — and they’re a common cause of foot pain, swelling, and even difficulty walking and wearing shoes.

If you're dealing with painful bunions, you might wonder if orthotics can correct the issue. While custom orthotics can’t correct the bone misalignment that’s causing your bunions, they can provide relief and help manage your symptoms.

Here’s what you need to know about bunions and nonsurgical treatments like orthotics from our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida.

The basics of bunions

The medical term for a bunion is hallux valgus, and it’s a bony bump that forms on the inside of your foot at the base of your big toe. It happens when the bones in the front part of your foot shift out of place, causing your big toe to lean toward your other toes instead of pointing straight ahead. The joint at the base of your big toe then sticks out to create that characteristic bump.

A few of the most common causes of bunions are genetics, improper footwear, arthritis, and foot stress. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, and difficulty moving your big toe. As your bunion progresses, it can lead to other foot problems, like corns, calluses, and even changes in walking patterns due to discomfort.

Bunions can be incredibly painful for a few different reasons. First, a bunion forces your big toe to push against your other toes, leading to joint misalignment, inflammation, and pressure on surrounding nerves. Plus, the bony bump rubs against your shoes, worsening irritation and discomfort.

Finding relief with bunion treatment

Bunions cause a structural change in the bones of your foot, meaning the only way to correct a bunion is surgery to realign your bones. However, surgery isn’t necessary for everyone, because nonsurgical treatments can offer significant relief from bunion symptoms.

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating bunions, and we’re here to help you find a treatment plan that addresses your most bothersome symptoms. A few common solutions include:

• Wearing wider shoes with a roomy toe box
• Using bunion pads or toe spacers to reduce friction
• Applying ice packs to reduce swelling
• Taking anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief

We also offer orthotic shoe inserts for bunions. These customized medical devices could be the solution to your bunion pain.

How custom orthotics can relieve bunion pain

Although orthotics can’t physically correct a bunion, they can provide significant relief from the pain and discomfort bunions cause. Custom orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts that support your foot's natural structure and help distribute pressure evenly.

By doing so, they can reduce strain on your bunion and surrounding joints, which helps prevent further irritation. Orthotics also make it easier to wear shoes comfortably, as they help relieve pressure on your bunion while providing cushioning and arch support.

Finally, orthotics help correct abnormal foot mechanics, like overpronation (when your foot rolls inward too much), which can contribute to bunion formation. With proper support, orthotics can even slow the progression of a bunion and improve your overall foot function. 

When surgery is the only solution

Nonsurgical treatments like orthotics can relieve bunion symptoms, but they don’t physically reverse a bunion. The only way to correct a bunion permanently is through surgery, which involves realigning the bones in your foot and removing the bony bump.

We specialize in nonsurgical treatment at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care, and we help people find relief from bunion pain with orthotics and other conservative options. However, we may recommend bunion surgery if your pain is severe, if it affects your daily activities, or if it continues to worsen despite conservative treatments. We can provide a referral to a surgeon.

So, if you’re tired of dealing with bunion discomfort, visit us for expert care and guidance. We can diagnose your condition and put together a treatment plan that helps you get back on your feet with less pain. Call our office to schedule an appointment or check in online to get started.