Special Features

Bunions - Preventative Steps


I regularly have people coming to see me who are concerned that they are developing bunions. These have invariably been caused by shoes where the big toe has been hitting the front. Shoes that allow the foot to slide forwards are involved in the development of bunions. For example, shoes with higher heels and no front fastening that do not prevent the foot from sliding forwards.

As the toes hit the fronts of the shoes the joints of the toes give way. The big toe joint often gives way sideways but sometimes gives way upwards and these can over a period of time get large and very painful. The little smaller toes often become hammered and there are also some enlarged joints at the side of the foot on the outside and they are called tailors bunions. They were often caused by people sitting cross-legged on tables and when the feet then rubbed against the table this led to a build-up of hard skin - an occupational hazard for tailors!

When we make bespoke shoes we always ensure there is plenty of room between the end of the big toe and the end of the shoe. We don't make the shoes exactly the same length as otherwise the foot would get damaged. Styles of shoes which work best are those with some way of holding the foot back in towards the heel, or peep-toe shoes where the big toes are free and cannot be pressed. Lace-ups, bar-shoes, any shoes with something going over the instep will be likely to hold the foot back into the heel and away from the end of the toes. Lace up boots are also very effective.

Shock absorbent materials also help to prevent the joints in the ankle, knee, hip and back from wearing out. Between the joints there is a soft cartilage and with repetitive jarring it begins to wear away - that's why many people need hip replacement joints when they get older. I am sure with shock absorbent materials either in the insoles under the heels or on the actual outside of the shoes on the top pieces this condition can be slowed down. We have "Springback" heels with a softer rubber at the back of the heel. Although not as hard wearing as a harder material it makes a huge difference to the feel of hard pavements. They almost feel like a carpet to walk on and walking feels more like gliding along.

Walking itself is a preventative medicine for improved health as it helps the circulation to keep pumping around the body. The action of using the muscles in the legs, especially the calf muscles, aids the heart to pump the blood around the body. When people sit for a long time their feet, ankles and legs can swell up, especially on aircraft. A simple first aid tip is to sit with the heels on the ground and lift the front of the foot up and down, sometimes alternatively with the other foot. It's pleasant to do this in time to music. The circulation is then helped by the calf muscles pumping the blood away from the feet and reducing the swelling. It might even help in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis when you fly.

 


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