Bunions or the painful bumps that usually develops on joint of the big toe can be extremely painful. The extreme pain not just causes difficulty while walking if left untreated, the bony bumps can also completely restrict your movement. Bunions are mostly caused by wrong shoe selection. Almost all patients, complaining of this condition have the habit of wearing pointed or narrow shoes for a prolonged period. In many patients, bunions are not restricted to the big toe only; stiffness is experienced in other toes as the painful big toe keeps on pressurizing the other toes. Neglecting the condition and not wearing the right kind of footwear can slowly lead to the bending of the whole toe. Medication to treat bunion pain is important. Footwear selection should be the prime concern for patients with bunions. You can either get special medicated shoes for bunions or get something that can ensure comfort to your feet.
Choices of shoes for bunions
Wearing comfortable shoes for bunions with sufficient space for spreading the toes can be helpful for people with mild bunions. Apart from ensuring toe space, you should also ensure that it is low-heeled so that it does not pressurize your heels. Depending on your comfort level, you can get shoes that are half size more than your actual fit. Getting footwear with extra depth can also be a useful option, as this allows an easy accommodation of corns or calluses. While readily available shoes for bunions available in stores is suitable for people having mild to medium bunions, tailor-made shoes for bunions are recommended for people having a severe deformity. In many cases, modifying the existing footwear has given relief to patients. Based on your preference as well as shoe type, you can request for wide shoes with a stretcher or add orthotics to it.
Finding the right shoe
Shoes for bunions are generally recommended after a complete examination of the shoes by a podiatrist or a doctor. They might recommend you brands, which are known for manufacturing wide shoes to help people with bunions or may give suggestions regarding stores selling shoes with extra depth. However, in case of specially designed shoes for your feet, you might have to visit an orthopedist. As custom-made footwear is a bit pricey, it is better to opt for companies, which offer to repair warranty for a year.
Must-have specifications to buy shoes for bunions
Fashionable footwear is something preferred by all. Yet, when you are purchasing shoes for bunions, you should prioritize its functionality and treat fashion as a secondary option. The first thing to note in bunion footwear is toe space. Avoid narrow fitted shoes and instead, go for the wide ones with a soft cushiony sole. Try to wear shoes with adjustable strap or laces for ensuring proper accommodation of your feet depending on the growth of bunion. Also, you should avoid synthetic material and vouch for stretchy ones like canvas or leather.
Though footwear is of prime importance when it comes to a bunion, one should also give importance to socks as well as other accessories to enhance the comfort level. Always wear loose cotton socks for avoiding any kind of pressure on your bunions. In case of an extremely painful bunion, you can always add a gel-filled pad, felt, or moleskin under the bunion growth to have a cushiony effect while walking. Apart from this, you can also opt for orthotics to relieve the pressure on your feet. This is a great choice for people, whose jobs involve standing for long hours.
Many people also opt for a toe spacer inside their shoes so that they can increase the gap between the big toe and the second one. Unstable arch and flat feet are among the most common issues for people suffering from bunion problems. An arch support can be a great choice in such cases. Almost all the accessories that can be used in bunion shoes are available in pharmacy stores and can be purchased at ease.
Arch support: Often people with bunions have flat feet and an unstable arch. Your arch is the curved area on the bottom of your foot. Over-the-counter arch supports can help correct this problem and put your feet in a more natural alignment. You can buy them over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor.
Wrong footwear selection is the prime factor for the growth of bunion and to check further deformity, it is extremely important for you to ensure the right fit when purchasing a new shoe. The shoe should be comfortable with the bump and the sole should not irritate it in anyways. It is better to avoid shopping for shoes in the morning as the swelling occurs mostly during the afternoon and the ideal size can be determined only in the evening. Do not neglect your feet health or else you might have to experience severe complications later.