How long do bunions take to heal

This may help to explain why bunions are 10 times more common in women than in men. People in occupations such as teaching and nursing, which involve a lot of standing and walking, are susceptible to bunions. So are ballet dancers, whose feet suffer severe repetitive stress. Women can develop bunions and other foot problems during pregnancy because hormonal changes loosen the ligaments and flatten the feet. Bunions are also associated with arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint.

You may be able to relieve pain and prevent bunions from progressing with conservative measures that take pressure off the MTP joint and improve foot mechanics. Bunions generally don't require surgery unless there's an underlying deformity that can't otherwise be corrected or the pain becomes debilitating despite conservative treatment. The MTP joint helps us bear and distribute weight during a range of activities.

A bunion at this critical junction of bones, tendons, and ligaments can seriously impair the foot's functioning. For one thing, a bunion on the big toe can damage the other toes. Under the pressure of the big toe, they may develop corns or become bent, forming hammertoes.

The nails may become ingrown, and calluses may form on the bottom of the foot. If you constantly shift your weight off the painful big toe joint to other metatarsals, you may develop discomfort in the ball of the foot.

As the misshapen joint becomes more uncomfortable and harder to fit into shoes, you may have to curtail exercise and other activities. Even walking may become difficult.

Especially in older women, foot disorders are a major cause of disability and sedentary habits. Older women are more likely to have bunions as they get older, and the more severe their bunions are, the lower their quality of life is.

You should seek treatment if the pain and deformity interfere with daily routines and physical activity. The first step is to relieve the pressure by wearing the right kind of shoe.

It's also important to maintain a normal weight. Shoes should have a wide, flexible sole to support the foot and enough room in the toe box the part surrounding the front of the foot to accommodate the bunion. Some good choices are sandals, athletic shoes, and shoes made from soft leather. Shoes with a back should have a sturdy heel counter the part surrounding the heel to keep the heel of the foot snugly in place.

You may be able to reshape narrow shoes with stretchers that make room in the toe box for the bunion. Keep heels low no higher than an inch.

You can also protect the bunion with a moleskin or gel-filled pad, available at drugstores. Make sure your shoes have enough space to accommodate it. A clinician may recommend semisoft orthoses shoe inserts to help position the foot correctly as it strikes the ground.

You can also wear a splint at night to hold the toe straight and ease discomfort. When the bunion is irritated and painful, warm soaks, ice packs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help.

Whirlpool, ultrasound, and massage may also provide some relief. Cortisone injections can relieve pain temporarily by reducing inflammation, but they have many side effects, especially when used often and at high doses.

American Podiatric Medical Association www. A GP may refer you to a surgeon if your bunions are very painful or having a big effect on your life. Surgery is usually done when you're asleep under general anaesthetic. The cause of bunions is unknown. It's not clear if you can do anything to prevent them. Page last reviewed: 24 August Next review due: 24 August A doctor will typically remove the stitches after 2 weeks, but people may have to continue to wear dressings or a foot brace for 6 to 12 weeks.

It can be up to a year before a person makes a full recovery and their foot returns to its regular size. During this time, individuals may have several follow-up appointments with their doctor, as well as one or more X-rays of the foot to check if the surgery was successful. It is essential that individuals wear supportive and appropriate footwear to prevent bunion recurrence and avoid complications.

Some people may never be able to wear high heels or shoes with tight toe boxes again. A study in the Journals of Gerontology suggests that wearing constrictive footwear between the ages of 20 and 39 years old may be a risk factor for the development of bunions.

Doctors will usually only recommend surgery when the condition is severe or when other treatments do not work. People who are unable to undergo bunion removal, or those who do not wish to do so, may find relief from the following:. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons , most people who have bunion surgery will notice an improvement in their symptoms, including a reduction in pain and better alignment of the big toe. Some research from suggests that proper surgical treatment offers a good or very good outlook for 85 percent of people and a satisfactory outcome in another 10 percent of those who have the procedure.

Abnormal gait or a walking abnormality is when a person is unable to walk normally due to injuries, underlying conditions, or issues with the legs or…. A look at tailor's bunion, condition resulting in a swollen bump on the outside of the foot.

Included is detail on the symptoms and the outlook. People use their feet almost constantly, whatever level of activity they are involved in on a daily basis. People experience pain differently, so a surgery that is painful for one person may not be for another. But, there are some surgeries that research….

This article takes a look at some foot exercises for strength, flexibility, and pain relief. It also covers safety tips to prevent discomfort.

If the bandage has been removed, you can wash the area with warm water and soap. Pat the area dry. You will probably need to take several weeks off from work. How much time you need to take off depends on the type of work you do and the extent of your surgery.

You may need to avoid heavy lifting for 3 to 8 weeks or longer, depending on the type of surgery you had. You may need to do regular rehabilitation rehab exercises to strengthen your foot and improve movement. Start out slowly, and follow your doctor's instructions. You can eat your normal diet.

If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery.

This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative. Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again.

Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed.