Bunion Fun

[bacarver]

Went for appointment #1 today. The doctor was nice. (YAY!) He taped my foot and told me to leave the tape in place for 3 days. I am to return next Wed. for orthotic inserts. I don't like this tape. It's irritating, but I can tough it out for a few days.
I bet the inserts won't feel good either. I have to do something though or the problem will just get worse.
Hmmm . . .

[teigyr]

I have the widest and most mishapen feet ever. I can relate

From all my consults, I hear that you have to fix the problem instead of temporarily making it go away. This can involve the fusing of bones and the cutting of a tendon (if I recall it correctly but it sounds BAD!) and then getting rid of the existing bunion. Mine are a result of running a lot in my formative years and wearing extremely inappropriate shoes in my rebel years.

I've heard different thoughts on the surgery. One was to do it early before there is damage that can't be repaired. Also, the younger you are the easier you tolerate surgery. I've also heard that it's better to wait to see if you can slow down the problem.

I have orthotics now. I will say that in running and pushing off on my forefoot, my big toe hurts! I also have to wear mens shoes, EE width. A running store fit me and I no longer have pain or blisters due to my shoes. The joint pain happens no matter what.

I'd also maybe consult with a sports medicine place. That is what I will do when I'm ready. Many sports medicine clinics have surgeons in-house along with PTs and other rehabilitative people. I want a surgeon/clinic who will realize that I am active and I don't want any future activities to be compromised.

I heard the more comprehensive surgery (the one where they ensure the problem won't happen again) is more painful with a longer recovery time. That is the one that was recommended, though, and I was told not to trust someone who said they can just shave the bone down and it is an easy and painless procedure. This could just be my feet though. I haven't had enough consults (and this was years ago) to make me feel comfortable with it though and I don't plan to do this for several years at least.

Bunions = not fun. The worst is when they spasm (unless that's just me) if shoes are touching them. Ouch.

[Tuckervill]

It just doesn't make sense when a doctor says never go barefoot. We weren't born with shoes on. If so much of a bunion is caused by too tight shoes, wouldn't no shoes be the ultimate?

Now, if that doc was talking about not going barefoot if it hurts more that way, then that make sense.

I worked for a podiatrist (transcriptionist) for a while. He did those aggressive bunion surgeries every day. I don't remember anyone ever complaining about it after they healed up.

I stopped wearing high heels in my 20s, too, mostly because of my aunt's bunions! The one day I did wear heels (all day at a wedding) in my 30s, I ended up with a herniated disk in my back! ACK. Heels S*CK!

Karen

[mimitabby]

It just doesn't make sense when a doctor says never go barefoot. We weren't born with shoes on. If so much of a bunion is caused by too tight shoes, wouldn't no shoes be the ultimate?

Now, if that doc was talking about not going barefoot if it hurts more that way, then that make sense.

I worked for a podiatrist (transcriptionist) for a while. He did those aggressive bunion surgeries every day. I don't remember anyone ever complaining about it after they healed up.

I stopped wearing high heels in my 20s, too, mostly because of my aunt's bunions! The one day I did wear heels (all day at a wedding) in my 30s, I ended up with a herniated disk in my back! ACK. Heels S*CK!

Karen

Thanks Karen!
Dar, I have heard that doctors tell people that; but it just doesn't make sense.

people who don't wear shoes DON'T get plantar Fasciitis, DON't get bunions.
if you want to see healthy feet, check out those guys in india that pull rickshaws running barefoot down the street. Look at the carving of David by Michelangelo. Notice that his toes all radiate directly out from his foot bed. His toes are not angled in or crooked. That's because the model didn't wear binding shoes!

People ran around for a long time before someone got the bright idea to put shoes on baby's feet. Does it make sense to make them wear shoes before they learn to walk? well, that is what is (was?) prescribed by doctors.
special walking shoes. My sons didn't wear shoes until after they were walking. and only when they had to go outside. Hmm, my younger son still doesn't wear shoes!! (well, he does in the winter)

PS; I wear NikeFREE shoes.

[mtbdarby]

It actually makes a lot of sense in my case Mimi. I have a hypermobile first ray which means I really CAN'T push off on my toes because the big toe joint goes too far back = lots of pain. With shoes on there is at least some support under that joint. Barefoot there is NOTHING to stop the rotation in that joint. In fact, my orthotics have a metal strip that runs under that joint to prevent it from overextending.

Now does it make sense? If I didn't have that problem I doubt it would hurt to walk barefoot.

[mimitabby]

It actually makes a lot of sense in my case Mimi. I have a hypermobile first ray which means I really CAN'T push off on my toes because the big toe joint goes too far back = lots of pain. With shoes on there is at least some support under that joint. Barefoot there is NOTHING to stop the rotation in that joint. In fact, my orthotics have a metal strip that runs under that joint to prevent it from overextending.

Now does it make sense? If I didn't have that problem I doubt it would hurt to walk barefoot.

Dar, I don't understand the mechanics of your specific problem. I do understand that if you had never worn shoes in the first place your foot muscles would have grown differently than they have in shoes. I understand that your shoes and orthotics solve the problem now, but your feet which have been trapped in shoes all their lives never had a chance.

[glamgurl36]

im having the same problem..have you ever seen those "toe straighteners" i think they are called yoga toes...they look painful hahaha...maybe ill just go to the dr.