If you suffer from bunions, then you know how painful they can be. Appropriate footwear can properly support your feet and prevent bunions from getting worse.
If you've ever wondered what causes bunions and what the best shoes are for this painful condition, then keep reading.
Bunions at a Glance
Bunions occur on your big toe on the joint. The result is the tip of your big toe pulling inwards towards your other toes.
It's possible that tight, pointy shoes may cause bunions. These narrow, unsupported shoes make existing bunions worse.
Symptoms of bunions include a bulging bump on the outside base of your big toe, along with pain, corns, calluses, swelling, and redness. This may be persistent or intermittent.
It's important to see a doctor if the pain or bump becomes worse, or if wearing shoes is difficult. Certain types of shoes may contribute to bunions.
Unsupported Shoes andBunions
Tight, unsupported shoes can contribute to bunions. Dancers are susceptible to bunions, as well as those with arthritis, flat feet, and bone deformities.
It's important to wear shoes with plenty of toe room, so you can wiggle your toes comfortably. Shoes with additional padding and special orthoticscan help to treat bunions.
Physical therapy can also help and in more severe cases, surgery may be required. In order to prevent bunions from worsening, it's important to wear supportive shoes.
Shoes for Bunion Support
Selecting the best type of shoe for your bunions can make a huge difference. Take into consideration the size of your shoes.
For smaller bunions, a little extra room in the toe box is all you need. Sometimes going up by a half size can help you find relief and comfort.
Women should keep their heels at 1-2 inches to ensure their toes have plenty of wiggle room.
Some shoes come with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of extra depth. The more space a shoe has, the more comfortable it will be for bunions, calluses, or corns. In addition, the extra room allows you to add inserts for extra cushioning and support.
Work with your primary care physician or podiatrist to discuss the best type of shoes for your bunions. You'll want to look for wide, soft shoes.
Make sure that the shoes you choose have a soft sole. This will provide an extra layer of comfort as you walk.
It's important to look for shoes made from stretchy material such as canvas. This allows your toes to have more room and reduces the amount of pressure. Leather is another material that provides stretch and comfort.
Find Relief forBunion Pain
Remember to select shoes with extra room for your toes and look for stretchy materials. Orthotics and arch supports can be purchased over-the-counter or as a prescription and can also help with your bunions.
shion your bunions and to make walking more comfortable. Toe spacers help keep your toes properly aligned and thin socks put less pressure on your bunions.
Remember to select shoes with extra room for your toes and look for stretchy materials.Explore our selection of shoes for bunions.
FAQs
Shoes with pointy, compact toe boxes that scrunch your digits together are a major risk factor for bunions. You want your toes to be able to lay flat in their natural position, plus be able to wiggle up and down and left and right comfortably.
Do shoes make bunions worse? ›
Shoes with a narrow toe box, like high heels, push your toes together in an abnormal position and make bunions worse. In addition to bunions, poor shoe choice is also a leading cause of calluses, corns, and hammertoe.
Can you wear normal shoes with bunions? ›
Dr. Oldani recommends shoes with flexible and forgiving uppers to avoid putting pressure on the bunion. Dr. Daughtry adds that most bunion-specific shoes feature more arch support to alleviate pronation and foot flattening.
Does not wearing shoes help bunions? ›
Wearing open toe shoes, or going barefoot, can prevent bunions from becoming worse by reducing the pressure on the toes which could result in them becoming more inflamed over time. But keep in mind that walking barefoot will bring out any shortcomings in your biomechanics in the way you stand and walk.
What is the main cause of bunions? ›
Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.
What aggravates a bunion? ›
Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis.
Will walking make my bunion worse? ›
A sure-fire way to exacerbate your bunion is to stand on your feet all day. Walking or running a marathon is the worst thing you can do for your bunion, and if you have a job that keeps you on your toes, you may need to take some time off to heal.
Are Crocs good for bunions? ›
Crocs in the Clinic
“These shoes are especially light,” says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “They have huge room in the toe that affords the front part of the foot lots of room, especially for people with bone deformities like bunions and hammer toe.
What are the best shoes for feet with bunions? ›
To manage and prevent bunion pain, it's advisable to wear shoes that have sufficient width for bunions, a rounded toe box, and appropriate arch support. Brands like Rothy's, Dr. Scholl's, Hoka, New Balance, Clarks, Sole Bliss, Birkenstock, and FitVille offer shoes specifically designed for individuals with bunions.
Do flip flops help bunions? ›
Find the right shoe style
These shoes lack the support and width needed for your foot to function properly when stress is placed on the foot. Flip-flops irritate the big toe joint and are often the direct cause of bunions. Flats are a good option because the shoe places your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
In most cases, bunions can be treated nonsurgically. One of the podiatrists from our team can examine your bunion(s) and recommend a conservative treatment which includes one or more of the following: Custom shoe orthotics (inserts) that relieve pressure on the joint and align your weight in a more beneficial way.
Are skechers ok for bunions? ›
Skechers GO WALK FLEX Alani shoes are 100% vegan, and they're our pick for the best budget shoe for bunions because they don't compromise value for comfort (or fun). The foam insole adds a breathable, lightweight layer of long-term, responsive cushioning for all-day comfort.
How can I stop my bunion from getting worse? ›
Bunion care tips
- Wear the right shoes. Choose shoes with plenty of wiggle room in the toes, and avoid pointy shoes entirely. ...
- Use corn or callus pads. Bunions often cause corns or calluses where the bunion rubs against your shoes. ...
- Invest in orthotics. ...
- Give yourself a massage. ...
- Ask about splints and taping. ...
- Use ice and NSAIDs.
- Massage and Exercise Your Feet. One of the simplest ways to treat your bunions without surgery is to, in fact, exercise your feet. ...
- Take a Paracetamol. ...
- Soak Your Feet in a Foot Bath. ...
- Ice Your Feet. ...
- Put Your Feet Up! ...
- Try Castor Oil. ...
- Try Bunion Pads. ...
- Try Bunion Splints.
Bunions are more common in women than men. Seventy percent of people who develop bunions have a family history, which suggests there is a large genetic component to developing bunions. This is especially true for adolescent bunions, which are acquired early in life.
Why is bunion surgery not recommended? ›
Prolonged swelling, infection, and deep vein thrombosis can result from this treatment. Some of the other possible complications include over- or under-correction, loss of correction, joint stiffness, and nerve entrapment.
What shoes are best for bunions? ›
Our pick for the best shoe for bunions overall, the Hoka Ora Recovery 2 is extra supportive with a wide toe box. As the best walking shoe for bunions, the Keen WK400 Leather Walking Shoe is solid for long walks.
What should you avoid when you have bunions? ›
If you have bunions, you'll want to avoid high-purine foods like:
- Red meat.
- Shellfish.
- Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.)
- Certain types of fish (anchovies, sardines, herring)
Avoid shoes with tall heels or no support, which put pressure on the toe joint. Similarly, skip any narrow shoes that crowd the toes and make bunions worse. Swap out your old pairs of stiff, confining shoes for breathable, flexible bunion friendly sandals and sneakers that ease the pain.
Are flat shoes better for bunions? ›
A flat may also fit too snugly around the bunion. If the shoe is too loose, your toes tend to scrunch to keep it from flopping off your heel, which can also aggravate a bunion. It is best to wear a quality leather shoe with a roomy toe box and sturdy heel counter.
