AIBU to ask my GP for help with painful bunion??

[StrawberriesAndCream8]

I’ve had bunions for as long as I can remember. They became painful around 10 years ago and I’ve tried exercises to help, toe separators / splints, orthotics, insoles, literally everything. I’ve been to a few podiatrists over the years and tried it all

my left foot in particular has become really painful now. It’s throbbing constantly (around the bunion lump but also underneath it too). I’ve tried literally every type of shoe possible, don’t wear high heels, but I’m still in agony with it and I’m basically taking ibuprofen daily like sweets now because of it

I’m planning to go to the GP tomorrow about it but I’m so nervous for some reason! It’s not the hugest bunion in the world, and my GP are bad for fobbing off so im worried I’ll go and they’ll say it’s not that bad or bad enough to be referred to see about fixing it

just wondered if anyone has any experience or knowledge about it at all? I’ll attach a pic of it. I know it’s quite mild so I’m probably being a drama queen but it’s agony every single day and really having an impact on my life. I was a high level runner and now I’m barely able to do that anymore, and when I can, I’m in agony during and after. I’m in my mid 20s and feel so crap at the idea of being in this much pain for the rest of my life if they say the NHS won’t fix it😟

Mine are twice as bad...at least 😅
Im 58 and I've had them all my life.
I do remember being in my twenties and going through a phase where they were terribly painful. I pushed for hospital appointment and the doctor told me it was a temporary inflammatory process and I was much better off leaving them be at that time. They did get better and I was decades without trouble.
But they are spectacular now..and it's a different story.

My point.....you are very young, you could just be suffering a temporary inflammatory process, but you are 100 percent correct to go to your GP. And push for referral if you feel it necessary.

Podiatrist here.

That hardly qualifies as a "bunion" because the deviation from the midline of the body is small.
It is more likely (and I say this without having examined your foot but going by the amount of pain you are experiencing) that you have a condition called Hallux Rigidus which is degeneration of the.interphalangeal joint
This is caused by wear and tear to the joint and you having been a runner bears this out.

Your GP has a few options.

They could refer to to the NHS Podiatry Dept for orthotic provision (insoles that fit in your shoes and limits movement at that joint.)
Or you could be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who could give cortisone injections into the joint to reduce inflammation.
Alternatively, surgery to fuse the joint will stop the pain altogether but you'll have a permanently stiff toe.

HTH

I had bunions in both feet since I was a child. I put off having them done due to all the horror stories that it could make things worse etc until I was early 50s. I had both done at the same time and it has transformed my life. Push for it particularly as you are a runner. I probably thought I played up the impact to the GP at the time but looking back I realise how much they restricted my life. The acute pain does actually subside over the years but it is the fact it constantly stops you doing things like running or driving long distances

I have this on my right foot. I have orthotics, use bunion cushions/sleeves when needed and use Deep.Freeze spray for the pain. I keep the spray in the fridge to zhuzh it up a bit. It's usually around £3 in places like Savers or Home Bargains, there's no need to pay a fiver in Boots!