Choosing the right footwear is an important way to manage bunion pain and helps to prevent further complications. Bunions develop when the big toe shifts out of alignment, often made worse by wearing narrow or pointed shoes. This causes a bony bump that can make walking painful, especially if the shoe lacks space around the toe area. When selecting shoes for bunion relief, opt for styles with a wide toe box, lower heels, and soft, flexible materials that minimize pressure. Deep-toed shoes can provide additional space for orthotics or custom inserts, which help support the foot. A chiropodist can assess the severity of the bunion and recommend shoe modifications, such as adding orthotic devices or using shoe stretchers to widen the toe area. Properly fitting shoes reduce discomfort and allow room for any foot changes caused by the bunion. If you have a painful bunion, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for advice.
Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Are Bunions?
A bunion is a bony bump that protrudes from the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused due to a misalignment of the first metatarsal. The characteristic bump of a bunion forms when the metatarsal shifts outwards from its proper position. Bunions develop slowly over time and progressively worsen without treatment. The skin over the bunion may develop calluses due to the friction from shoes. Eventually, a bunion can make walking uncomfortable or even painful. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and are especially common in women and older adults.
Symptoms
A bunion appears as a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe.
The bunion may also:
Be swollen, red, or sore
Develop corns or calluses over it
Cause pain
Limit the big toe’s range of motion
Treatment
There are several different treatments available for bunions. Conservative treatment options include wearing shoes with a wider toe box, cushioning the bunion with a specialized pad, wearing shoe inserts, icing the bunion if it becomes inflamed, and taking medications to relieve pain. In more severe cases, more invasive procedures may be done. This may involve removing the swollen tissue around the bunion, straightening the big toe, realigning the bones at the front of the foot, or a combination of these procedures.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs
