Why shoes are important for people with Bunions!

A bunion occurs when there is a bump in the area of the big toe, and bunions can be inherited or caused when certain bones shift over time due to poor mechanics, flat feet, arthritis, trauma, or other conditions. Surgery is the one way to deal with this problem, as the bump can be removed and the bones realigned. However, surgery cannot create a perfect toe and is often challenging for busy people, as it may require time off of work, driving, and most activities. Conservative options for bunion pain are favored by many of my patients and can include ice, medicine for pain or inflammation, taping and padding, orthotic devices, and shoegear modifications. The purpose of this blog is to stress the importance of proper shoegear for people with bunions. Shoes must have a larger toe box so that there is no rubbing of the bunion on the shoe. Additionally, the material of the shoe is important, as harder materials are more irritating than softer materials in the toe area that give and stretch. Shoes that are more rigid on the bottom or have a slight rocker tend to feel better for people with bunion pain. If the shoe can be bent under the forefoot or twisted, the bunion may be aggravated. If you have a bunion and are in pain, give us a call, 708-763-0580, or schedule on zocdoc or oakparkpodiatry.com for added convenience.