Bunions

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
Ugh.

I've developed bunions on the outer sides of my big toes. They're not huge, not horribly ugly...not yet anyway, the left slightly larger than the right.

My problem is that I am having more and more trouble finding shoes that don't cut into the bunion. Sneakers are usually OK. Sandals mostly too, if one of the straps isn't directly over the bunion. But flats, or the pumps that I sometimes wear when I dress up to go out are problematic most of the time. The design and location of the opening seems to run directly over the bunion.

Full disclosure: I LOVE SHOES. And while I don't have as many as Imelda Marcos ;) I do enjoy being able to match my outfits with the appropriate footwear. But it's getting harder and harder to find shoes that I'm comfortable in, especially as my work calls for me to be on my feet more than off. I've discovered it isn't as simple as buying in a wide with. Sometimes the shoe is sloppy on my foot, but STILL cuts in right there at the bunion.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Tips and tricks? Specific shoe brands? Other suggestions?
 

Amazing this is one issue that's escaped me. My mom had a horrible one and would Never get surgery, she adapted and went for comfort for sure. I like shoes but don't love them. I go for comfort as well. I'd forget about matching the outfit.

I believe they are genetic...mom had one and I don't think dad had any.
 

My daughter had a very bad bunion when she was only 15. Not sure why,I made sure my kids had proper footwear. She had surgery where they shaved the bunion and purposely broke her toe and realigned it . She was on crutches and pain meds for awhile. She is almost 40 now and hasten't had a problem. I was told back then that in younger people they realigned the toe but older people they just shave the bunion only. This would be much less painful. I'm not sure if it holds true today.
 
Ugh.

I've developed bunions on the outer sides of my big toes. They're not huge, not horribly ugly...not yet anyway, the left slightly larger than the right.

My problem is that I am having more and more trouble finding shoes that don't cut into the bunion. Sneakers are usually OK. Sandals mostly too, if one of the straps isn't directly over the bunion. But flats, or the pumps that I sometimes wear when I dress up to go out are problematic most of the time. The design and location of the opening seems to run directly over the bunion.

Full disclosure: I LOVE SHOES. And while I don't have as many as Imelda Marcos ;) I do enjoy being able to match my outfits with the appropriate footwear. But it's getting harder and harder to find shoes that I'm comfortable in, especially as my work calls for me to be on my feet more than off. I've discovered it isn't as simple as buying in a wide with. Sometimes the shoe is sloppy on my foot, but STILL cuts in right there at the bunion.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Tips and tricks? Specific shoe brands? Other suggestions?

I have bunions too. I use what is called "Gel Bunion Guard" and it makes the biggest difference. If one doesn't do the trick completely, I put two on one bunion. Most of the time, one is enough. I can wear my shoes and my bunions don't complain. You can find them at Walmart, Amazon and probably other stores. Like you, my bunions would hurt when I wore my shoes but then I started wearing these and they don't bother me now and haven't for a long time.
 
I have one on my right toe. Went to see an orthopedic to have it removed, however, considering all that has to be done to repair it and then the down time for recovery, I decided that it’s not all that important.
 
Mine isn't big enough to have it removed, and it's also not big enough that it's warped my toe to any discernible amount. It's just where it's located on the side of my toe that's the problem.

See where the shoe cuts across the side of my foot? That's exactly where the bunion is. So even a wide width doesn't necessarily solve the problem, it's more the typical design of any pump type shoe, whether a heel or a flat, that is the issue. And I LOVE that kind of design!!


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I don’t have bunions but my sister does. I do have a very high arch and it’s very hard for me to find comfy shoes.

My poor grandmother had all kinds of problems with her legs and feet. Thrombosis, varicose veins, bunions, she was diabetic also and at age 87 she went to Northwestern Hospital in Chicago because of painful bunions and she was in there for 2 weeks while they decided wether or not to operate.

She died in the hospital of pneumonia before any surgery. :(

Not saying that removing a bunion is risky, just remembered my grandmother. Her feet and legs were a disaster though.


Your bunion doesn’t looks too bad, my younger sister has one that’s bigger.
 
I had one and don't even recall it being that bad but for some reason I opted to have it removed, I think I was in my early 40's. I was awake through the procedure, it was done in the doctor's office, and the worst part was the 12 shots of novacaine (or whatever numbing agent he used). After that, I didn't feel a thing, but yes, the recovery was very painful and I was on crutches for a few weeks. Not sure if I'd go through that now that I'm in my 60's.
Sue
 

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