Shoes for Bunions and Hallux Valgus

View our "Vienna bunion shoe" here.

View our "Classic bunion shoe" here

What is a bunion?

In simple terms a bunion is a prominent bump on the inside of the foot around the big toe joint. The National Health Interview Survey found that hallux valgus and bunions were reported as the third most common foot problem in the United State. A bunion can develop at any time throughout life but it is more common in later life and in females.

What is hallux valgus?

Alternative names for a bunion or bunion deformity are hallux valgus, or even more specifically hallux abductovalgus.

In Pedorthic biomechanical terms, hallux valgus is a subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with deviation of the great toe towards the second and accompanied by an enlargement of the medial first metatarsal head. Subluxation is a partial dislocation of a joint that is produced when motion is contrary to its plain of motion of exceeds the range of motion of the particular joint.

What causes bunions?

Hereditary and anatomical predisposition combined with minor injury from wearing narrow pointed shoes and high heels, uncorrected excessive pronation with resultant altered foot mechanics, added body weight, injury, arthritis and weakened intrinsic muscles are all considered important factors that contribute to the condition. The foot is painful because the bunion becomes inflamed from shoe irritation, degenerative arthritis at the first metatarsophalangeal joint or both.

Bunion treatment

Options for treating a bunion range from surgery where your Podiatrist performs a bunionectomy, which is a bunion operation to biomechanically correct the hallux valgus, to wearing accommodative footwear with plenty of room in the toe box ensuring that the foot is not compromised in any way, thus eliminating the main causes for pain.