Relief from bunion pain

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a bunion on the edge of my right foot at the base of my little toe. It is sore and is about 4 years old.

The foot doctor has cut part of my shoe away at the edge so the bunion does not rub up against the edge of the shoe. Before I bandage it, I put antibiotic ointment or Neosporin Pain Relief ointment on it, but neither seems to help the pain. Do you have any suggestions I could follow to relieve the pain and not have to wear this funny-looking shoe?
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Bunion not likely due to fallen arches

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have the beginning of a bunion. What can I do to prevent it? Could it have anything to do with falling arches?

DEAR READER: Bunions are commonly the result of tight-fitting shoes (primarily high-heeled ones), injury to the foot, arthritis and genetic influences. I do not believe your fallen arches are to blame. The condition is permanent unless you undergo surgical correction. However, in the interim, you might consider padded shoe inserts; wearing more roomy, practical and comfortable footwear; [Read more...]

Is surgery always appropriate for bunions?

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had a bunion on my right foot for a long time. It is very painful. My foot doctor has cut the side of my shoe off so the bunion can extend out. This is the only pair of shoes I can wear.

I may have to have surgery, but some of my friends have told me the bunion will probably grow back. Do you know of any ointment that I can put on it? Or what else would you suggest I do?

DEAR READER: A bunion is a bony protrusion on the joint at the base of either big toe. There are a number of reasons for them to form, the most common of which are poorly fitting shoes, congenital deformities, foot injury and arthritis. Symptoms include the obvious bulge of the bunion, intermittent or constant pain when wearing footwear, swelling and skin thickening at the base of the great toe. The toenails may grow into the sides of the nail bed, and some bones may bend permanently at the joint.
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