How do you know if you have a Bunion?

Introduction

You will know if you have a problem with a bunion because it is quite visible on your foot. Bunions are when the bone of your big toe grows at an angle to your foot and you will see the deformity immediately. You will also feel pain in your foot when walking or running, especially if you are wearing the incorrect footwear which can worsen bunions.

What are Good Shoes for Bunions?

There are a number of different shoes on the market that are designed to manage bunions and to prevent them from worsening over time. They are designed to help you manage the pain you feel when you walk, stand or run and are the best way to ensure that the bunion does not get to a point where corrective surgery is necessary. When considering which type of shoe to wear to help manage your bunion there are a few things you need to consider and a few features that your shoe should have in order to help you with bunions. For the top shoes for bunions click here.

Also wearing correct shoes from the start can prevent you from developing bunions in the first place. One of the most important aspects of a shoe that helps with bunions is a wide toe box. Many of the bunions develop, especially in women, because of shoes that are tight and pointy in the toe region. A wide shoe will allow your feet to spread and prevent the bone from being pushed out, which is what causes bunions to develop. A lightweight shoe is also desirable if you suffer from bunions. The shoe should be flexible and allow a full range of movement from your foot.

Wearing a lightweight shoe puts less pressure on your foot and your bunion and thereby relieves the pain you may feel. It also protects the foot and bunion from bumps and this stops the bunion from worsening over time. Soft leather, mesh, and other stretchy flexible materials are the best to wear as they will conform to your foot and not constrict it in any way. Another thing to consider, especially for women, is to wear a shoe that does not have elevated heels. That is not to say wearing completely flat shoes are the best either.

A slight heel is desirable, however, a very high heel is going to put pressure on your toes as your foot is angled in such a way as to be unavoidable. Wearing a flat shoe will also put pressure on your toes. Shoes designed to help you manage bunions are those that relieve the pressure on your toes and help you to spread the weight of your foot evenly. High heels will not do this and they should be avoided. The perfect shoe for bunions should not only have a wide toe box, but also thinner, more flexible soles.

This is so that the pressure put on the foot as you walk is lessened which in turn creates less pressure on your bunion. The less pressure you put on your bunion, the less you will aggravate it and this prevents it from getting worse over time. It will also help to alleviate the pain you may feel when you are dealing with bunions. Supportive footwear is essential if you are suffering from bunions. A removable footbed will go a long way to aiding you in managing your bunion.

You can remove the footbed and replace it with an orthotic that is designed to position your feet and protect your toes while walking. The shape of the shoe should be a rounded and not pointed toe. Pointed toes constrict the foot and place extra pressure on your bunion, leading to it getting worse and also causing even more pain. The correct sizing is paramount. You need a shoe that will give your toes some wriggle room and not put the pressure on your bunion that could aggravate it over time.

Another important thing to remember is to prevent your foot from sliding in your shoe. As your foot slides, it will rub against the side of the shoe aggravating the bunion. Wearing a trainer with lace-up closures or a shoe with a Velcro closure is best. When you are going to be wearing slip-on shoes you must ensure that the fit is such that your foot is not going to slide. Getting a slip-on with a padded insole and removable footbed is important.

You can then fit an orthotic into the shoe which will help prevent the foot from slipping and cause more damage. Often athletic styled trainers are the best for bunions. They are usually made from materials that are flexible and stretchy, especially the uppers of the shoe.  They also usually have the support and cushioning you need when dealing with bunions and are designed to keep your foot stable inside the shoe at all times.

This prevents slipping of the foot in the shoe and protects the bunions from aggravation as the shoe rubs against it. Shock absorption in the shoe is also one of the best aspects to look for. Preventing impact shock will help to protect your bunion from further aggravation and alleviate the pain associated with them.

Is there Something I can wear in my Shoes for Bunions?

There are a number of devices that you can wear in your shoes to manage your bunions. A mid-foot arch support brace is one of them, this alleviates the pressure on your bunion and prevents pain. A side splint will support the toe, or metatarsal bones in your foot again reducing pressure. You can also wear orthotic supports which position and cushion your foot inside your shoe.

Is it Better to have Wider or Longer Shoes for Bunions?

If you are a bunion sufferer you need to get wider shoes as opposed to longer shoes. The bunion is a deformity in which the big toe bone grows at an angle, if you wear long narrow shoes you could put pressure on this growth and thereby cause yourself not only more pain but also aggravate the bunion making it worse and leading to you having to get corrective surgery to alleviate the crippling pain that can sometimes be associated with having a bunion.

Conclusion

Wearing the right kind of footwear can not only manage your bunion, it can prevent you from having to undergo surgery to get rid of them. If you wear supportive footwear that does not have pointy toes and is flexible and comfortable, you can avoid developing bunions at all.