Facebook Pixel

Bunions, Bunions, Bunions!

By HERWriter
 
Rate This
to avoid bunions, avoid high heels Andres Rodriguez/PhotoSpin

I love shoes, especially high heels. My closet is overloaded with more than 300 pairs of shoes and there are dozens of pointy tight-fitting high heels.

Before casual Friday became casual every day, I worked at a company which required woman employees to wear pantyhose and skirts only.

No pants allowed. And we’d be called into the president’s office if we wore a skort.

The beginnings of my shoe addiction started here, especially since flat shoes do not look professional with a business suit.

But the constant wear and tear of high heels wreaked havoc on my feet. At the end of the day, my feet would be red and the bottom of my feet throbbing.

One of my female colleagues took time off to have work done on her feet. Before Botox and implants, women were having their feet done. This woman, who had about 20 years on me, returned to work about a week later with a cane and a “boot” on her foot.

Prior to a staff meeting, this bunion woman told the staff all about her bunionectomy. Thank goodness it wasn’t a lunch meeting because her details of the bunionectomy were very graphic.

According to the National Library of Medicine, in a bunionectomy a surgeon repairs a bunion which “is when your big toe points toward your second toe, forming a bump.”

As the National Library of Medicine stated, “the surgeon makes a cut to around the toe joint and bones. The surgeon repairs the deformed joint and bones using pins, screws,
plates, or a cast to keep the bones in place.”

In the case of my former office mate, the bone on the side of her big toe was shaved to remove the bump/bunion. She warned all the young women in the office to take care of their feet and to forego fashion versus comfort.

So ladies, especially those who love high heels, if you want to avoid bunions, you need to be nice to your feet. According to the National Library of Medicine, here some things you can do to avoid bunions:

• Try cutting a hole in a pair of old, comfortable shoes to wear
around the house.

• Wear felt or foam pads on your foot to protect the bunion, or
devices called spacers to separate the first and second toes. These
are available at drugstores.

• Wear WIDE toe shoes.

Also, for some relief soak your feet in a peppermint oil bath. You can also try ice and taking an anti-inflammatory like Advil for some additional comfort.

References:

Bunion removal - PubMed Health. National Center for Biotechnology
Information. Retrieved November 1, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0003458

Bunions - PubMed Health. National Center for Biotechnology
Information. Retrieved November 1, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002211

Bunions. Mayoclinic.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012, from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bunions/DS00309

Reviewed November 12, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment4 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I don't any surgery that doesn't sound graphic. Not all bunion surgeries are preformed the same way. It depends on the severity of the bunion. Your mother had bunion and a hammer toe surgery. The doctor shaved down the bone with no implants put in it. Her hammer toe had a pin put in it to make it straight again. She didn't use any pain medication after her surgery (ice and elevating are key to recovery) and it now looks beautiful again.
As for people who currently have a bunion- Orthopeadic doctors recommend you get your shoes stretched (wooden foot that make it wider) & put a corn pad to help with the irritation. (I know this because I work for a group orthopeadic doctors)
Maybe the next time you write an article you should ask someone who specializes in that area of the medical field.

December 12, 2012 - 2:05pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

So true..Bunionectomy's are not something to discuss over lunch! Actually most could make the case that the photos on google of bunions can be a great holiday pound saver! Just as a side note...I've had some really good luck with Bunion Booties and would highly recommend them for anyone starting to get bunions! Have a great holiday!

November 21, 2012 - 1:00pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Im not for companys telling women how to dress, But I would not complain if women had to wear a skirt and Pantyhose everyday..:) I wish i could work there...:)

November 14, 2012 - 3:43am

There is a great resource of information about how bunions develop and treating them in a free series of ebooks, "When the Foot Hits the Ground from Toe to Heel". It is available at www.bunionadvisor.com.

November 13, 2012 - 11:13am
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

Bunion

Get Email Updates

Related Topics

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!