Shoes Bunions
How to Choose Shoes for Bunions
Is it true that "special" shoes for bunions could help relieve the symptoms of bunions? The reality is that while it is possible to develop bunions through improper foot function, the leading cause of bunions is shoes that don't fit properly. As one might expect, women are accountable for the majority of bunion cases due to the trendy yet literally foot deforming shoes they wear. We are going to discuss how bunions are formed and how shoes for bunions can keep existing bunions from worsening further.
What exactly is a bunion, anyway? Well a bunion is term used to describe the enlargement or deformation of the base joint of one's big toe. Although our feet are meant to withstand a certain amount of stress, wearing shoes that squeeze the toes together often results in the bones being "trained" to stay this way. Therefore the base joint of the big toe ends up pushing outward while the toes angle inward. In some cases the joint is merely separated from the inner portion of the foot, while in other more severe cases a literal deforming growth on the bone can occur.
A bunion may begin as a slight deformation of the big toe, which usually doesn't present any physical pain or hinder the way in which one walks. However, as the toe's joint pushes further outward, the mass that begins to form on the side of the bone can soon lead to discomfort. This discomfort is particularly noticeable when wearing shoes and can even result in redness, swelling, and a compensating limp while walking.
Bunions are most often formed by wearing shoes that force the toes together, such as pointed-toe shoes. When the toes are angled inward, the first metatarsal bone starts to protrude on the side of the foot, thus resulting in a pointed deformity on the side of the foot. Other shoes, such as those which are too narrow, can rub against the base joint of the toe and restrict its flexibility to the point that the foot actually begins to take on the shape of the shoe. Sounds painful, doesn't it?
The only way to prevent the occurrence of bunions which are not related to hereditary issues, is to wear shoes that allow the toes and base joints of the toes plenty of room to flex and move. Heeled shoes use gravy to force the toes to work downward which is very bad news for the feet. Therefore many types of dress shoes can lead to the development of bunions.
A person who has an existing bunion problem should endeavor to wear shoes for bunions. Unless the condition is very severe--to the point where a surgical procedure is necessary to allow foot function--one doesn't necessarily have to purchase costly shoes specifically designed for bunions. The key to finding shoes that are suitable to wear with bunions is to pay attention to the key qualities of the shoe. For instance, we mentioned earlier that heeled shoes tend to force the toes into the pointed tip of the shoe. One should instead opt for shoes that are flat and preferably which have a square toe rather than a pointed tip. Another quality to look for is the material of the shoe. Certain materials can be very hindering to the foot, especially hard materials that can rub against bunions and result in further irritation. Soft materials, such as flexible leather, canvas, and the padded synthetic material of sneakers are very good choices, as they allow the foot plenty of room to flex and expand as they are naturally meant to. Shoes that are designed for wide feet may be the best choice for one with larger bunions, as narrow or regular width shoes may further worsen bunions. Flip flops and other sandals are excellent choices, but people with highly noticeable bunions often steer clear of these shoes to avoid drawing attention to the condition.
But as we mentioned before, there are shoes designed specifically for people with a severe bunion condition. These shoes can be quite costly, but they offer more of a trendy selection while still providing the comfort and support that the foot needs. If one has a particularly debilitating bunion condition, they should speak to their doctor about the possibility of having surgery to correct the deformity.