To want to have my toes straightened?

[Maelstrop]

My toes look horrible. They’re very curved in due to wearing too-small shoes as a stupid teenager. I hate having bare feet. I know it’s a first world problem, but is there a guaranteed non-surgical option for me, given I’m now in my 40s?

Ah - just posted and then read about your achilles worries - tight calf muscles and particularly hamstrings have an effect on the achilles as well as high arches. Have you seen a physio? Maybe they could advise.

In your case I’d definitely second going to Physio as well as a formal referral to orthotics. Ask your GP.

I has both feet - bunions are curved toes corrected in my 20s - definitely worth it as they were awful and difficult to get fitting shoes. Also I was vain at that age and wanted to wear strappy sandals 😊

However obviously I had to have casts on for 6 weeks and if they aren't that bad and you are in your 40s I'm not sure I'd bother.

I had noticeable bunions for years and hammer toes as well.
I had thought that I might need surgery to correct them.

Mine have improved beyond recognition - down to

• taking up Yoga and lots of toe stretching type exercises
• wearing Toe Post type sandals (flip-flops, FitFlops, Birkenstock etc) whenever weather permitted

It was a slow process though - years!

But I am delighted - one foot is perfect although the other still has a slight bunion shape. And I don't get any aches on the bunions any more.

The hammer toes are still there - but no problem when not flattened by shoes.

Oh this is fascinating - DD has always had her 'weird toe' just googled congenital curly toes and that's it! I have always been super careful at having proper shoes as she has really narrow feet so I've been perplexed that her toes look scrunched up. It doesn't bother her but do you think we should get it seen to? She's 12.

Unless they're painful I'd leave it. I have bunions. My mum had both of hers done and they came back.

Bazzle can I just ask how old you are now? I had bunion surgery recently and am
terrified of them returning, they were horrendous!

I have a really big bunion on one foot to the extent it is difficult to get even trainers that are wide enough but I wouldn't want to risk an operation.

I'd love that done but I don't think the agony would be worth it

I had both feet done 20 years ago now and they've never returned. Go for it if they bother you and want to fit into shoes properly!

NobodyKnowsTiddlyPom; I had a bunion op the same as yours 5 years ago. The toe has drifted slightly, but I have no pain at all, and the scar has almost disappeared. I wouldn't hesitate to have the other one done if necessary. I've never worn heels though.

I had both feet done as a teenager. It was so painful. All these years later, I still get weird pins and needles in those toes and my arch is collapsing because of the damage they did to the tendons. I would never get my kids feet done.