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Regular physical activity plays a key role in keeping us healthy. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) say that adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. And since maintaining a healthy weight can help to lessen bunion pain, you definitely want to stay active.
When you have a bunion, though, getting moving can cause or worsen pain in your foot. If you’re dealing with exercise-related bunion pain, come visit us at Greater Pittsburgh Foot & Ankle Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania. As experts in both sports medicine and bunions, William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS, and our team can work with you to find what works to ease your bunion pain during exercise.
Here are five tools we might recommend for you:
#1: Choosing exercise shoes with ample room
If you notice that your bunion pain worsens when you work out, the shoes you exercise in could be to blame. Some exercise shoes have a narrow toe box or one with a lot of structure in it. While shoe designers include features like these to support your foot as you move, these can put pressure on your bunion.
Look for workout shoes with a toe box that’s wide enough to give your bunion ample room. Your shoes should still fit properly lengthwise, but you might need some extra space across the ball of your foot.
#2: Considering orthotics
If your shoes don’t solve the problem, talk with Dr. DeCarbo about orthotics.
You put these specialized inserts in your shoes to provide support and cushioning. When you have a bunion, the orthotic can help to control the way your foot moves in your shoe, protecting your bunion from excess pressure.
#3: Trying a corn pad
Corn pads aren’t just for corns and calluses. These little adhesive pads can also cushion your bunion. Apply the pad right before you put on your exercise shoes to see if that added protection brings you relief.
In some cases, the corn pad can actually make matters worse by creating less room for your bunion in your shoe. Try it out but if it doesn’t help, remove the pad.
#4: Icing it after you exercise
While this won’t help as you’re active, applying an ice pack (wrapped in a towel so the ice doesn’t make direct contact with your skin) can help to bring down inflammation in your bunion. With less swelling, you should have less post-workout pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can also help you mitigate bunion swelling after exercise.
#5: Exploring bunion removal
If none of these conservative treatments ease your bunion pain while you exercise, talk to Dr. DeCarbo about bunion removal.
He offers a specialized procedure called Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®. This minimally invasive surgery doesn’t just eliminate the bunion — it also helps to correct the joint misalignment that caused it in the first place.
Don’t let your bunion stop you from exercising. To get a personalized plan to ease your pain, call our office or book your appointment online.