How can I stop this bunion getting worse? (Photo)

[bunion2000]

Apologies for foot photo!
So this is the start of a bunion 😑
Apart from not wearing flip flops anymore, how can I stop it in its wonky tracks??

Bump for the bunion

Is it actually a bunion, your toe looks very straight still? I have a bone spur in exactly the same place, not as big as yours yet but it looks similar.

Bunions are mainly hereditary. My dm has dreadful bunions so she was fanatical about ensuring we had well fitting, supportive shoes. Despite this, I have bunions. Dd, despite me having the same attitude to shoes had bunions by her late teens.

You can do your best to slow them down by wearing well fitting, supportive shoes and not wearing high heels.

Look into barefoot shoes - they are properly foot shaped and won't squash your toes.
https://anyasreviews.com/how-to-help-your-bunions-if-you-dont-want-surgery/

Ah, flip flops are so convenient for bunions though. I hate squeezing mine into shoes 😖

I'd really recommend that you go to see an podiatrist if you're concerned about your feet. About 4 years ago I had the start of a bunion that I thought might lead to surgery. I saw a podiatrist who made me an insole to put in my shoe - all the pain stopped and my bunion hasn't got any bigger/worse since.

Thanks all. So it may not be a bunion - interesting.
My DM has them so if they are hereditary I'm stuffed!
I shall seek out a podiatrist.
🦶

My bunion appeared in my late teens/early twenties. I'm in my 50s it hasn't got any worse in that time and doesn't look as obvious as yours.

It's the random pain that gets me 🤷🏽‍♀️ the other foot has a hint of a one.

My grandma has dreadful bunions.

I’d say it does look like the start of a bunion yes. The joint is red and appears a little inflamed. Take all the good advice above on board and hopefully you can slow its progression as best you can.

My 30 odd year old bunion

Mine’s better! I’m only young, it’s genetic.

What weird things they are! Just been reading up about them thanks to a pp's link to 'barefoot shoes'.

That's a good one!!
But seriously - does it cause you any discomfort?

You need a shoe with a wide toe box if you want to slow it down.

Mine hurts seemingly randomly, but when it does hurt it can be excruciating tbh.

They are genetic, I have hypermobility and never wore bad shoes but I still got one.

Yes, before it was a proper bunion it was causing me pain from the age of 12, on and off. I’m 38 now.

It reached a peak in January and was so painful I could barely walk. I’m on the waiting list to see a foot surgeon at the ROH in Birmingham. I’m still waiting to be seen. The pain has improved massively for no apparent reason so currently it’s not too bad. The pain flares come and go, but each year it gets a little more …. deformed.

Shoes need good arch support as well as a wide toe box. In winter I wear leather boots a size up with insoles to support my arches and in summer, I mainly live it fit flops or trainers.

I dream of having elegant narrow feet so that I can wear fabulous fancy shoes.

Weirdly, I am loving this (despite not really liking feet generally).

I fell when I was in Greece earlier this year and walked through the pain around Athens and then again later when home, 10 miles a day in Italy for three days. It took me three months to get it x-rayed to find out I have arthritis and the fall had nothing to do with it.

But, because of taking more time to look at my feet (because of the fall) it appears that I too have a bunion!! Confirmed by the Dr when I eventually got to see one. I have been advised to get “orthapedic” shoes…. Ohhh the glamour! 🤣

@Truffle55 that comfortable happy feet feeling in old
lady ortho shoes is priceless! Any glamour I possessed was lost long long ago 😂

That is definitely a bunion. Mine looked like yours for years and didn't hurt. I ignored advice to stop wearing heels,.and wear supportive, comfortable shoes. I made them much worse, they became painful and much wider due to the angle of the bunion.

I had to have an op. Mine were caused by inheriting Dad's intermittently flat fleet. Yup. Weird. They look fine, but flatten when they hit the ground - that's what the experts told me.

I spent most of my life wearing sensible flat shoes. Guess what? I should have been wearing heels, according to the hospital.

I was given orthotics which helped for a while. Eventually had to have the op. Still wear the orthotics.

Dad had his op when he was 47/48 and had to have all his toes straightened. I was in my 50s and only needed my big toes done.

ETA My toes were relatively straight, but they had to give me a scarf-akin osteotomy. I'll let folk Google if they want to know more.

I have, and have always had horrible feet. My mum asked the doctor about my "bunions" when I was about 11, and he said the shape of my feet was probably hereditary. Squeezing my feet into unsuitable shoes as I grew up and later did not help matters. But when I was rising 50, I took up yoga. My feet are definitely stronger and my right big toe in particular seems to have straightened out. Apart from being ugly and a bit hard to find nice shoes to fit, I've never had any real problems with them, especially not pain, so I've learned to live with them. So far, aged 69, I don't have arthritis. Or if I do, I don't know about it.
I knew someone who had dreadful bunions, but they didn't hurt, just looked bad. Aged about 35, she had surgery on one, and was proposing to have the other done later. But she got necrosis of the bone, so she never really recovered from the op, and vowed she would leave the other one alone. Whilst that is a very rare complication, I'd think definitely twice about surgery unless you're in pain.

It may not be a bunion but hallux rigidus (given that your tow is still relatively aligned and there's a bump on top too). Firm soles with wide toe box (think walking boots)

@WearyAuldWumman

I meant mad heels when I said to avoid heels. Completely flat shoes are just as bad for your feet.

But yeah, people with good feet don't realise how lucky they are.