Treating Juvenile Bunions Without Surgery

Invasive (surgical) medical procedures certainly do have their place and usefulness in the field of podiatry, but it is especially important to try and avoid them for child patients. A reason for this is that the foot will continue to develop, grow, and strengthen, and we do not want to interrupt any of those processes. Fortunately, there are several nonsurgical options that can relieve bunion symptoms for children.

Some of the top options for conservative treatment for juvenile bunions include:

Making sure that your child has shoes that have wide, deep toe boxes will prevent the bunion from becoming irritated and causing pain for your son or daughter.

In addition to roomy, comfortable shoes, padded inserts or custom orthotic devices can provide greater pain relief. These options can help to redistribute forces across the foot and prevent excess pressure on the affected joint. Besides providing relief from symptoms, custom orthotics may also help to prevent the condition from worsening.

After extended periods of time spent on his or her feet, your child will benefit from having ice applied to the area. We can provide specific directions for this procedure.

Naproxen, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are pain medications that can help, but be sure to consult with our doctors for specific recommendations.

Using these options will help to keep the foot in a more natural, normal position, thereby reducing stress on the bunion.