Bunion - Prevention 

Preventing bunions 

Look after your feet

Your feet take the weight of your whole body, so foot problems can quickly lead to knee, hip and back pain. In this video, a podiatrist talks about the importance of caring for your feet and explains some of the most common foot problems and treatments.

You can significantly reduce your risk of developing symptomatic bunions by wearing shoes that fit properly. Symptomatic bunions are bunions that cause symptoms, such as pain.

Footwear

Poorly fitting shoes can contribute to the development of bunions. Symptomatic bunions are rare in populations that do not wear shoes. Wearing shoes that are too tight and do not fit properly is likely to make an existing bunion worse. If your shoes are too tight, they may rub against your big toe joint.

It is best to avoid wearing shoes with high heels or pointy toes. Wearing shoes that fit properly can reduce your risk of developing a symptomatic bunion.

Your shoes should be wide enough for your toes not to be forced together and there should be enough room for them to move. Shoes that are made of soft leather and are wide fitting are a good choice.

If your shoes are too tight, have them professionally stretched. When selecting shoes, it is useful to have your feet measured properly because many people often wear shoes that are the wrong size.

You may also want to visit a podiatrist (a foot specialist), who will examine your feet and give you advice about suitable footwear.

Last reviewed: 07/02/2011

Next review due: 07/02/2013

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