Bunion Treatments That Don't Involve Opiate Pain Relievers

Historically, doctors have prescribed opiate pain relievers for patients with severe bunion pain. But over the past few years, it has become clear that these medications have a lot of unwanted side effects, the most worrisome of which is addiction. If you are suffering from moderate to severe bunion pain and are looking for a safer alternative to opiates, here are some treatment options to consider.

1. CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a substance derived from hemp or cannabis. It does not make you feel high, but it does have important pain-relieving qualities. It works mostly by alleviating inflammation and by interacting with certain receptors in the brain that are related to the pain response. CBD is not addictive and is not known to have any worrisome side effects. It's widely available through dispensaries and many health food stores in all 50 states. There are several ways to use CBD for bunion pain relief. You can take it orally or you can apply a CBD cream directly to the bunions. Patients with severe bunion pain can do both.

2. Cortisone Injections

Cortisone is a steroid that is injected directly into the tissues it is meant to treat. It does not migrate from that area or have any noticeable effects elsewhere in the body. Cortisone injections hurt, but after you get over the pain of the actual injection, you should experience profound relief. The soreness and stiffness should ease up within a day, and you should continue to see improvements throughout the week. You will need cortisone injections every three months if you use them to manage bunion pain.

3. Surgery

The idea of having your bunions treated surgically may be a little scary, but in the long run, this is usually your best choice for lasting relief. You may need some opiates for pain control in the first couple of days post-surgery, but once you are healed, you should not need any medications or supplements to control your pain. Bunion surgery is typically performed either by a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon. Typically, the affected joint is broken and shaved down, and tendons and ligaments are realigned. You should be able to walk again within a week or two and you should be fully healed within three months, on average.

The days of relying on opiates for bunion pain relief are over. Talk to your doctors about these or other bunion treatment options.