Can Bunions Be Reversed? Everything You Need To Know

Bunions are one of the most common foot injuries in the world. It can cause pain ranging from mild discomfort to severe, blinding pain.

Eventually, the big toe becomes enlarged and painful and can lead to problems when exercising, or even worse, in your day to day life.

But can bunions be reversed? No, sadly, bunions can not be reversed without surgery.

However, there are many natural, conservative treatments that you can do to help mitigate your bunions and stop the pain.

Below, we will outline some of our favorites.

Use Orthotics

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The objective of getting any conservative bunion treatment is decreasing the pressure put on your big toe.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to do this is with orthotics.

They work to rebalance the foot and reduce the pressure that caused the bunion initially.

Custom-made orthotics are extremely useful when it comes to helping your bunions, but remember; they won’t reverse the size of the bunion.

That said, they will make you feel far better.

In our opinion, using high-quality orthotics like the Upset Custom Orthotics is the best thing you can do for your bunions.

Get New Shoes

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One of the main things that can lead to the formation of bunions is incorrectly sized and poor-fitting footwear.

We get it – everyone wants to wear shoes that look good, but unfortunately, these often don’t support the feet properly and make things worse.

Never wear shoes that force your toes together. Unfortuntaely, fashionable shoes like high-heels are particularly bad for this, so keep them in your closet.

Even if you think you understand your shoe size, it’s important to remember that the size of your foot can alter over time, especially due to major events like pregnancy.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes specifically designed for people with bunions, we highly recommend the Orthofeet Proven Bunions and Foot Pain Relief Shoe.

Use Epsom Salts

can bunions be reversed

Epsom salts can be a fantastic way to give your feet some relief after a long day on your feet. 

Additionally, Epsom salts are low cost, and you may already have a bag in your bathroom!

You can use Epsom salts in two ways – in a foot soak, or your entire bathtub.

Fill your bathtub (or basin) with war water and an appropriate amount of salt. Then, let yourself soak for as long as you would like – we recommend 20-30 minutes, although your tolerance may differ.

Feel free to add more saltwater or warm water to make sure you are comfortable.

Additionally, Epsom salts have many other health benefits, such as being antifungal, so it is highly beneficial.

Use Bunion Pads Or A Sleeve

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Bunion pads may be positioned over the bunion and work to create a barrier between the shoes and the toes.

This is a fantastic, quick, and easy way to help prevent your bunion from rubbing up against your shoe.

Additionally, some people may prefer to use bunion sleeves instead.

The advantage of the sleeve is, it goes on more like a sock, so it’ll remain put even after hours on your feet.

We recommend trying out both and seeing which you prefer. Some people like the smallness of the pad, while other people prefer the secureness of a sleeve.

Help Ease The Pain

can bunions be reversed

There are many other conservative treatments that you can try to help with your bunion.

Consider using anti-inflammatory drugs (if your doctor recommends it), like ibuprofen or aspirin. These can help with swelling and pain management.

Additionally, you can try massaging your bunions at night before you got to bed or using ice packs to help with your pain.

If all of these conservative treatments aren’t working, you may need to talk to your doctor about surgery.

Talk To Your Doctor About Surgery

 

can bunions be reversed

If all of the conservative treatments don’t seem to work, it might be time to think about surgery.

Foot surgery can be incredibly useful when dealing with bunions; it is also an enormous deal. It tends to cost an enormous amount of money, plus it will put you out of commission for weeks and possibly months.

You will also have to stay off of your foot, which can be challenging and requires a great deal of commitment.

There are a number of different bunion surgeries that can be done, but they all realign your joint and straighten the bone.

A lot of people think that bunion surgery is just about shaving down the protruding bone, but this is not true – it is just a small part of the surgery.

How Long Will It Take To See Results From Non-Surgical Options?

 

can bunions be reversed

The important thing to keep in mind with non-surgical treatment is that it is not about removing the bunion; it’s about managing the pain.

Fortunately, by combing many, if not all, of these treatments, you can see great results depending on the severity of the bunion. 

Depending on how diligent you are and how painful the bunion is, you can start seeing results almost immediately.

However, for others, it will take time to adjust to the orthotics, shoes, and lifestyle changes, so give it time!

How Did I Get A Bunion?

can bunions be reversed

Bunions frequently come from repeated impacts to your toes while wearing incorrectly fitting shoes.

Some people have feet that are vulnerable to the development of bunions due to their shape and structure, such as those without arches.

Unfortunately, if you have flat feet, you are much more likely to develop bunions.

However, bunion formation can be augmented by the wrong shoe size, excessive weight, and extended durations of standing or walking.

It’s hard to pinpoint precisely where your bunion has come from – it could be a number of things.

Are Bunions Hereditary?

can bunions be reversed

Yes, there is a hereditary component to bunions, mostly due to susceptibility.

Some people, due to their hereditary makeup have a muscular structure that is more susceptible to the formation of bunions –  others are born with foot muscles that better withstand impact.

However, no matter who you are, your bunions were probably created by constant impact such as running, and poor-fitting shoes.

You might be genetically predisposed to bunions.

While you can take preventative procedures to keep a bunion from forming, the reality is that if you have family that struggles with bunions you’re most likely to get one.

Women are most likely to get bunions due to the fact that fashionable footwear tends to be made more about looks that support.

Can My Bunion Be Reversed?

 

can bunions be reversed

Yes, unfortunately, bunions are permanent. However, that being said, you can treat your bunions pain by using conservative pain relief methods like the ones listed here.

That being said, if your bunion continues to hurt and cause pain in your life, you will need to talk to your doctor about surgery.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this article on can bunions be reversed? We hope now that you have found the answer, and know-how to successfully treat your bunions using at-home treatments.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out by leaving a comment below.

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can bunions be reversed