Back to home





Bunions

Bunions can make shopping for shoes an exercise in frustration

The word bunion comes from the Latin bunio (turnip). Whoever named this ugly and very common foot deformity must have concluded that it looked like the equally unattractive vegetable. Sadly, it does.

A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. It makes the big toe bend toward and often overlap the other toes. When this happens, the toes of the foot are forced sideways. Instead of facing forward, the way they're supposed to, they point at an angle to the right or left, depending on the foot.

Also called a hallux valgus, a bunion can cause the adjacent toes to contract. Frequently the toe immediately beside the big toe becomes almost clawlike, forming a hammertoe, and a callus forms underneath and between the two toes.

Bunions can make shopping for shoes an exercise in frustration. The deformity also can turn into a chronic and debilitating problem, becoming swollen and painful. Ultimately, if the pain becomes too severe, surgery may be necessary.

Causes of bunions:
Faulty foot mechanics, ill-fitting shoes and hereditary factors such as foot type can contribute to bunion formation

Some foot specialists claim ill-fitting shoes can play a part in bunion formation, particularly among women who squeeze their feet into high-heeled shoes with narrow, pointed toes. Wearing high heels causes calf muscles to tighten. A major compensation for tight calves is overpronation of the foot, which, in turn, can lead to bunions.

Prevention and treatment:
Bunion pain ranges from mild to severe. If the bunion is inflamed, you may feel pain in your toes due to pressure of the big toe pushing against the other toes. To help prevent bunions-or to keep them from growing worse-here are some steps you can take:

Buy wider shoes. "There are good-looking dress shoes that have small heels and a rounded toebox. This toebox will give your toes plenty of room," Dr. Carol Frey, A Los Angeles Orthopedic surgeon says. "Shop 30 minutes after you run or at the end of the day, when your feet are the widest.''

Also make sure your running shoes have a wide toebox, arch support and well-cushioned heel. To ensure a snug fit in the heel and ample room in the forefoot, try lacing each shoe with two shoelaces, according to the diagram to the right.
Cover the bunion with a pad to reduce friction against your shoe. You can buy these pads in any drugstore.

Give your feet a break during the day. "Take your shoes off," Dr. Frey suggests. "Change them midday if you can. Don't wear high heels longer than 3 hours at a time. Kick your shoes off under the desk or table."

Have your shoes stretched. "Find a shoe repair shop that can make modifications in your shoes such as stretching them out and smoothing out the rough edges inside," says Michael Coughlin, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon in Boise, Idaho.

Get fitted with orthotics. They can help prevent bunions by reducing overpronation.

Stretch and strengthen different parts of your feet. Stretch your Achilles tendon to counter the stresses on your forefoot. Calf stretches are important for women who wear high-heeled shoes, says Richard Braver, D.P.M., a podiatrist practicing in Englewood and Fair Lawn, N.J. And try some toe-strengthening exercises such as big-toe pulls and toe pulls .


Thank you for shopping at the Runners Roost stores!