| In Part One of this three part series I dealt with | | | | of really firm leather which could rub the bunion |
| common foot problems, such as arch problems. | | | | area and has a heel of one to one and a half |
| This time I am dealing with bunions. | | | | inches. For those with bunions already wear lace |
| I am often asked what bunions actually are. A | | | | ups and shoes with straps which are more |
| bunion normally develops below the big toe | | | | comfortable than slip on court shoes. |
| (technically called the hallux). They can occasionally | | | | Once bunions develop there are some things you |
| develop below the little toe when they are given | | | | can do to help. When you take your shoes off, if |
| the delightful name of a "bunionette". The bunion | | | | the pain is burning, put your foot under cold |
| will have caused the bones of the big toe to have | | | | running water for up to 10 minutes. This will |
| changed - normally the big toe will be seen to be | | | | anaesthetize the pain. If the big toe is not too |
| bending towards or over the second toe. | | | | bent over you can use a toe prop between this |
| Technically the bunion is a bursitis. This is a lump | | | | toe and the second one. These look like silicone |
| of fluid that has developed as a form of | | | | gel cotton reels and because they will straighten |
| protection against the bony changes in the toe. | | | | the big toe a little they will take some of the |
| Bursitis can develop in other areas of the body | | | | strain off the bunion. You can also put a slim |
| too. Housemaid's knee is bursitis and like a bunion | | | | bunion shield - again made from silicone - over the |
| is red, swollen and painful. | | | | bunion itself and this will protect it when you are |
| Obviously as shoes rub on the bunion it will make | | | | wearing shoes. Foot Health Practitioners will all sell |
| it red and painful just as the knee becomes so by | | | | these as do some of the larger pharmacies. You |
| kneeling on it. In some people if this goes | | | | can buy much thicker bunion shields but although |
| untreated and the pressure on it becomes too | | | | they will protect the bunion they may well fill the |
| much it can become infected. If this happens you | | | | shoe too much and over time actually cause |
| must see your GP immediately. | | | | more problems with the bunion and other areas |
| I was always taught that bunions develop purely | | | | of your feet. The slim shields not only protect the |
| and simply because people wear the wrong | | | | bunion but the silicone massages the bunion. If |
| footwear. Stiletto heels are notorious bunion | | | | using any of the silicone gel products they will last |
| causes. However, it is also important to realize | | | | for months if you wash them in cold water, pat |
| that some people have a foot shape that is just | | | | dry and apply a little talcum powder. |
| more prone to bunion development than others | | | | Massaging around the base of the big toe can |
| and this tends to be genetic. If this is the case | | | | help. Whilst doing this you can keep moving the |
| then it is really important the person wears good | | | | toe away from the second toe using your fingers |
| footwear and avoids the kind of shoes which | | | | and then trying to move the toe without help |
| cramp feet. | | | | form your hands. Over time this can give the |
| This brings me on to the fact that as with every | | | | joint more mobility. |
| condition prevention is always easier to do than | | | | The very last resort for bunions is surgery. I |
| provide a cure. In the main then wear fashionable, | | | | have seen this operation performed many times. |
| tight shoes by all means but only for special | | | | There are various types of operation done and |
| occasions, not every day. Yet again, I am back to | | | | there does not seem to be any definitive |
| my maxim that unless a shoe feels like a | | | | procedure, each surgeon having their own |
| comfortable slipper when you try it on in the shop | | | | method. If you do decide on this, if bunions affect |
| then do not buy it. | | | | both feet, do not request both feet being done |
| Those of you with a long second toe will be able | | | | together. You will be in plaster for a number of |
| to wear more pointed shoes than others more | | | | weeks and getting around will be very difficult. It |
| comfortably. Peep toes will be highly | | | | can be successful but will alter the integrity of the |
| uncomfortable to wear though. A rounded shoe | | | | foot and unless the pain is unbearable it may be |
| should suit most of us though which is not made | | | | simpler to consider less intrusive methods first. |