Do Custom Orthotics Ease Bunion Pain?

Millions of people suffer from bunions, painful lumps, or bumps that form on the outside of your foot just below the big toe. Bunions, one of the most common foot deformities, happens when the bottom joint of the big toe moves out of alignment, creating that painful, visible bump.

While bunions don’t go away, they can get treated. For many people, that means having custom orthotics designed to relieve pressure and promote better joint alignment.

Joel S Segalman, FACFAS, FACFAO, and Stephen Lazaroff, DPM, FACFAS, are leading providers of custom orthotics for patients at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, in Waterbury and Newtown, Connecticut. Here’s how custom orthotics can help you find relief from painful bunions.

Quick facts about bunions

Bunions are painful lumps that form on the side of your foot, right at the base of the big toe joint. That lump is the end of the big toe bone pushed out of its normal alignment.

Bunions form for different reasons, including abnormal foot shape or walking pattern (gait), injury, or diseases, like rheumatic fever. Wearing shoes with points or tight toe areas can exacerbate bunions, as can high heels.

Bunions are a common source of foot pain along with corns and calluses. Treatment for bunions can help relieve painful symptoms and prevent more severe problems requiring surgery.

How custom orthotics help

Custom orthotics are special shoe inserts made specifically for your feet. Unlike over-the-counter inserts that you can buy at a store or online, custom orthotics are prescribed just for you based on your unique foot shape, along with the issue you’re having.

Custom orthotics rely on highly accurate measurements of your feet using advanced technology. Those measurements create your orthotics out of state-of-the-art materials. Since each orthotic is made on an individual basis, custom orthotics are much healthier for your feet and more effective in correcting your problems — without creating new ones.

When it comes to bunion treatment, custom orthotics focus on relieving pressure on the big toe and its joints while gently restoring normal alignment for all your toes. Orthotics reduce friction that causes painful corns and calluses, while supporting your arches and the ball of your foot.

Additionally, many shoe types can get custom orthotics designed, including athletic and dress shoes, so you can enjoy the activities you love without worrying about bunion pain, blisters, or calluses.

Find relief for your painful bunions

Custom orthotics are just one bunion treatment option we offer. Learn how we can help you relieve bunion pain by requesting an appointment online or calling the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists team today.