A Better Truth About Bunions

By Lisa J. Allen, PT, DPT

BioMechanic Physical Therapy

. https://biomechanicphysicaltherapy.com

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A Better Truth About Bunions

Why Did You Get Them, What You Can Do To Fix Them and How To Prevent Them

Did you inherit your bunion from your grandmother? Or from wearing pointy shoes? The grandmother theory comes closest. You inherited a foot type that often develops bunions. Different types of feet develop different types of problems. 

This type is subjected to an angular force on the front of the foot with every step. This causes the big toe to be pushed toward the other toes repeatedly, creating the bunion.

Let’s start with how you can prevent or decrease a bunion. Correcting your foot mechanics. Custom insoles (orthotics) bring the earth to the foot instead of forcing your foot to accommodate to the earth. That means filling the space between your foot and the ground instead of twisting your foot to reach the ground. 

There are many ways to make an orthotic, but the more information you have, the better the orthotic. An extensive biomechanic exam gathers information about how your foot is put together, how your foot is connected to your leg, the angles of your ankles and knees, what types of shoes you wear and how you use your feet. 

A 3D digital scan is sent to a lab where they make a model of your foot, then fabricate the orthotic using that model.  Orthotics can be moved between shoes, so you don’t have to have them for every pair.

Already have a painful bunion? Insoles and specific shoes may help.  You’re more likely to need physical therapy (PT) or surgery. Typical old fashioned PT that uses only exercise is not going to help. You will need to find a PT who knows toes and it’s not common. 

PT for a bunion decreases pain, inflammation, and restores foot posture. Until recently you would typically receive heat, ultrasound, massage, stretching and insoles. In the past few years the advent of regenerative medicine (Class 4 lasers and Shockwave) has changed PT. We now use tools that heal the arthritis, tendonitis and sesamoiditis that are part of your foot pain. This tech will get you relief in just a few visits. 

If neither insoles nor advanced tech physical therapy has worked, surgery may be next. In Virginia, both podiatrists and MD’s can be foot surgeons. The severity of your bunion determines the procedure.  You may be able to weightbear in a week, or be off it for months.

If you’ve had surgery and are still having pain you should definitely contact a foot and ankle physical therapist.

I hope this helps you navigate how to stop your feet from hurting!