Beating bunions will spare you unsightly and painful problem
IF YOU suffer from bunions – a deformity of the toe joint, which causes the big toe to point inwards and the bone at the base of the toe to jut outwards – you’ll know how painful (and unsightly) they can be.
It’s estimated that almost a quarter of us have these bony protrusions and that rises to more than a third of over-65s.
And even pretty princesses are not immune to having less-thanperfect tootsies. Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle suffer with bunions.
So why do we get them – and what can be done about it? “It’s not what you wear on your feet, but who you got your foot from that’s behind them,” said Mr Kumar Kunasingam, orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital, Sutton, Greater London.
Bunions are thought to be hereditary – you may have inherited a foot type that’s more prone to developing them. For example, if you have flat feet, low arches, loose joints/tendons or have an unstable toe joint, you’re more likely to get them. When your foot shape is prone to bunions and you wear tight-fitting shoes or high heels which force your foot forward into a narrow toe box (squashing your big toe inwards), this could cause a bunion – and will definitely make an existing one worse. Most shoes don’t have room to accommodate the protrusion of a bunion and will exert pressure on the joint. This can then lead to the bursa (the fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint) becoming sore and inflamed.
“You should wear shoes that conform to the shape of your foot BY KIM JONES without squeezing or pressing any part of it,” said podiatrist Dr Bharti Rajput, solebodysoul.com.
“Look for footwear with a wide toe box, preferably made out of soft leather or fabric to avoid any rubbing of the bony bump of the bunion. It’s best if the front of the shoe has no embroidery or stitching detail as these can irritate the bunion.”
Try Calla shoes (callashoes.co. uk). They’re especially designed for bunions, with extra width and volume where you need it most, plus a cushioned memory foam insole with arch support. Some socks – and even tights – can squeeze your toes close together and possibly exacerbate bunion development. Make sure you can easily stretch your toes in your socks.
ToeToe Socks (toesocks.co.uk) have individual toe pockets for each toe on your foot and are seamless, preventing any edges rubbing on your bunion.
Some socks can squeeze your toes close together
“As well as the obvious signs, such as redness, a lump and the sloping of the toe, muscle spasms in the affected area are another sign that foot mechanics are suffering,” said Jennifer Bailey from Calla. Don’t ignore it – see a podiatrist. “Try holding an ice pack (wrapped in a tea towel) over the joint for 5-7minutes at a time,” suggested Dr Rajput. “Bunion pads – bought from a chemist or podiatrist – can relieve pressure over the joint and provide cushioning. A prescription orthotic placed in your shoe can provide arch support which can often help improve overall foot function and therefore reduce bunion pain.”