preventable foot ailments part 1: the bunion

While researching another shoe related issue I discovered the bunion. Though I always knew they existed. Grandma's have bunions right? I did not realize that bunions can occur in young peoples feet. A Google image search for bunions lead me to some very horrific pictures and several articles about Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) and her fight with the bunion. Victoria attributes her bunions to decades of wearing stiletto heels.

This got me thinking. Why stiletto hells? So I did some research. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says "bunions form when the normal balance of forces that is exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot become disrupted. This can lead to instability in the joint and cause deformity". In laymans terms, high heels push most of your body weight on to the front of your foot, placing a great strain on the toe joints.

As a woman I wear high heels often. But I did not know that this could happen. But I guess I should have realized I was doing something to my feet when at the end of the day my foot was hurting right on the area shown in the picture on the right. Being the hypochondriac that I am I started to worry am I developing the bunions? And if I do have the bunion how do I treat it.

According to the AMPA symptoms can include the following:

• Development of a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot, at the base of the big toe.
• Redness, swelling, or pain at or near the MTP (#2) joint.
• Corns or other irritations caused by the overlap of the first and second toes.
• Restricted or painful motion of the big toe.

Luckily for most, the bunion is preventable (the predisposition to the bunion can be hereditary as well) phew! How you ask, well lets ask the experts on this subject. The APMA give these tips:

• Wear comfortable shoes that conform to the shape of your foot.
• Wear shoes with a wide and deep toe box.
• Always fit the larger foot and have your feet sized each time you purchase shoes.
• Apply a commercial, non-medicated bunion pad around the bony prominence.
• If your bunion becomes inflamed and painful, apply ice packs several times a day to reduce swelling.
• Avoid high-heeled shoes over two inches tall.
• Seek professional podiatric evaluation and assistance with uncomfortable or noticeable bunions.

If you have bunion pain have no fear there are several treatment options for you from surgery to a brace for your foot, but I would talk to a doctor before starting any treatment.

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Equipped with all this information I don't think I am going to throw out all my heels today, but I will probably not wear them as often!

If you would like more information on bunions or other foot ailments please visit the APMA web site by clicking here.

If you want to read about past foot ailments please find the link below:

Bunions
Hammer toe
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel Spurs
Flat foot
Calluses, Corns, and warts
Gout