Developing a bunion on my right foot. Also have been having pain in the little toe and the one next to it. Maybe a bunionette? It’s getting awfully uncomfortable to wear close toed shoes - but being in New England, there really isn’t another option.
I ordered a new pair of boots (Clarks) that is supposed to be more roomy in the toe region. Might need new walking shoes as well.
What worked for you? Ordering shoes in the same size as before, but wide width? Any specific brand? Do the bunion supports help at all? If yes, can you provide links to the ones you use? I am finding that switching boots/shoes each day - wearing a different pair helps.
Ouch. My sister suffers from bunions. Look for shoes that have very stretchy uppers and no seams of any kind around the bunion area. There are shoe stretchers that have a bunion area thingy.
Following because I noticed my college kid is developing one. They don’t run in either side of the family so I was surprised to see it when kiddo was home for the holidays, especially considering the young age. Any insights are helpful.
I have had bunions on both feet all of my life; I don’t remember ever not having them. I have pictures of when I was 12 and they are already there. Pretty sure mine are hereditary because I did not wear heels as a child and both my grandmothers had them. In addition, I have a high instep making shoes that come up high on the top of my foot very uncomfortable. Those slip on booties (like Uggs) are impossible for me to even get on.
My current favorite shoe is one by Clark’s. It is like a ballet flat, but there is enough shoe that it covers the bunion rather than hitting right in the middle of it. Without the bunions, my feet would be very narrow, so I have not tried the wide width. I have to try on a whole lot of shoes to find one that I can wear and then I wear it forever. My current ones are about worn out, and I have shopped for a replacement but haven’t found anything I like yet.
I wear extra wide shoes and even some of them have toe boxes that are too narrow. There are all sorts of soft cushions that can protect bunions from pressure, but you still need to make sure shoes are wide enough. Sometimes that may mean using an insert in the back of the shoe to keep the too wide heel from slipping. You could browse around Amazon for a wide variety of aids.
The surgery I had on both feet turned out to be the wrong choice for me. I ended up with just as much pain afterwards as before, and developed lymphedema during my prolonged recuperation. My bones refused to knit back together for months and the doctor tried all sorts of things, including an electronic device to increase blood flow in an effort to encourage healing. Obviously, most people won’t have those sorts of problems with surgery, but it’s still something to consider seriously.
Hotter brand shoes from the UK are reasonably priced and come in wide and extra wide sizes. They have more rounded toes than many other brands.
Lately, I’ve resorted to buying men’s sneakers (in size 6 or 7 extra wide) since they are usually wider than similar size women’s shoes. At home I’ll often wear an arch support band with a pair of unisex Crocs if my feet can’t tolerate anything else.
A wide toe box does zip for bunions because bunions are not in the toe area. My sister can wear pointy toed shoes as long as the bunion area is soft and stretcheable (or stretched using a device like this:
I have dancers, and dancers are famous for getting bunions. Toe spacers/separaters do wonders. If you can’t find them at a drug store, try a dance store. Get the individual ones that go in between the big and second toes.
Bunions run in my family, and I am aware that some people can’t easily control them (my niece had to have surgery for bunions on both feet in high school). For me, though, I am able to keep mine to a minimum. Although I may always have had a slight bunion, I became aware of mine when I worked on the factory floor in a supervisory position. I wore low-heel suede shoes that ended up irritating my bunion something awful. I had to get a cortisone shot in the bunion (not fun). I ditched the shoes & made sure I bought the right kind of shoes for spending 10-12 hours a day walking and standing on cement floors. Ever since, I am very careful when buying shoes. I wear shoes around the house for hours before I will wear them outside; if they hurt my bunion, they go back. If they seem fine but later begin to bother my bunion, I ditch them.
I have a bunion and almost always wear pointy shoes. The key for me is to make sure there is not a band or strap across the bunion area. I also make sure the top line (opening) of the vamp does cut across the bunion area. For really comfortable day shoes, I am loving my Rothy’s. They are seamless, soft and stretch across the bunion. And they are machine washable and made from recycled bottles.
DH has a bunion and this has been followed by his foot doc for several years. Doc said…as long as it’s not bothering him, and he can find and wear shoes comfortably…no big deal. BUT at the last check, doc did suggest DH deal,with this one bunion…but t can be scheduled at DHs convenience. At this point they will check again…with probably surgery in October.
Please read this post! This is one of the few posts I’ve made that actually might be helpful, because this has been a huge torment for me
I have serious bunions and have suffered from them greatly while running. I’ve tried maybe 20 different types of running shoes, fortunately the stores I frequent will allow you to return them at no charge.
I have narrow heels and am wide in the toe box area, with the bunions. If I buy wide shoes, they slip on my heels and bother me greatly. All the little bunion this or that doodads are completely useless.
It’s too bad you don’t live in the Seattle area, because I could refer you to my podiatrist, who is supposedly one of the best in the nation. He’s really a brilliant problem solver, kind of like a nice Dr. House (if you ever watched that show).
Here is what he said, so really consider this. Altra Torins are one of the few shoes that have a wide toe box and a narrow heel, they are very good for women with bunions. I wear those all the time, walking and running. They look a little odd, but who cares. Order Compeeds bunion plasters. You can find them on Amazon, they get them from England so they take awhile, but they really work for blisters. When I start running a lot, I put them over my bunion areas and they heal/prevent the blisters, they are the only blister bandages that actually work.
If you use orthotics, make sure you have ones where your feet aren’t slipping around a lot.
I had surgery on both feet. First one while in college and second one when I was in my twenties, because there was no way I was going to go through life wearing sensible shoes.
First op was very successful as I followed drs instructions to a tee. 2nd time I didn’t and went out dancing not long after the surgery. So, it looks swollen but doesn’t hurt no matter what shoe I wear.
@Silpat, my mom didn’t have success with surgery on either foot, either. It was pretty miserable for her. And her doctor was supposedly one of the best in the area.
My sister has them, too, and her surgery went better. I seem to have gotten lucky and don’t have them.
I developed problematic bunions only in the past few years, I find myself wearing sandals for as long as the weather cooperates because I can always find some that have open space around the bunions. (This may be the thing that finally convinces me to retire to a warmer climate.)
Someone above mentioned a shoe stretcher. This one has been a lifesaver for me when I can no longer wear sandals: https://www.footfitter.com/footfitter-cast-iron-ball-and-ring-bunion-stretcher?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo5vvzePl2AIVhYp-Ch0fiA5jEAQYASABEgJ26vD_BwE
It looks and feels like a medieval torture device, but it will stretch your shoe right in the area of the bunion. When I buy new shoes, I put them on, make chalk marks where my bunions press, and then stretch those areas overnight. My best luck has been with shoes made of softer materials, at least in the front—suede, fabric, etc. I’ve completely given up on heels.
I’m very leery of surgery, having heard too many bad stories, but both the daughter and sister of a friend of mine had surgery done by a doc in NYC who is apparently a bunion whisperer, and they had great results.
My sister had bunion surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC and she loved her doctor. She found him after much research and felt it was worth the trip from Ithaca to have him do the procedure. It wasn’t easy, I know, and her recovery took time, but she’s so happy to be comfortable in her shoes again. I think there are many approaches to these surgeries, and doctors have their own preferences.
