Boots for Bunions?

Serenity-Now · ‎07-05-2010

How's that for a catchy subject header, lol!

I'm a shoe-lovin' gal with painful bunions. I know there are others out there like me--share your wisdom, please tell me which brands you've tried & loved? All styles of ankle & full-length boots. I want shoes. Now! I'm feelin' the Fall Fever, help me! Thanks in advance.

☼SerenityNow!☼
"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her; still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings." ~Victor Hugo

MomCat · ‎09-12-2010

I'm so worried about the fall and the wearing of my boots. I have a bunion that appeared on one foot, and the other feels like something is happening there too. This is how dumb I am - when that knot appeared I was shocked! I had no idea what was going on. A friend mentioned that it could be a bunion. Duh. Now, I'm very suspicious of my Orthaheel slippers. I have practically lived in those things around the house for the past 3 months. I also have some Orthaheel flip flops I wear when going out. I've not worn any closed up shoes all spring and summer. The Orthaheel info states that these shoes help with bunions, so I hope I'm wrong in my thinking. It's always something. Lol

Trix · ‎03-16-2010

Far be it for me to tell you what to do, but a bunion can be removed fairly easy these days. Instead of taking suggestions for expensive shoes which still may hurt, why not consult a podiatrist about steps to take to remove the bunion. You still may have to rethink your shoe wardrobe from the type of shoes you presently prefer, but at least the problem will be removed and you will be protecting your feet from future problems.

Sammijo10 · ‎05-14-2011

I have to echo the recommendation of Trix. I tried for years to 'accomodate' my bunion with wider and lower heeled shoes. It always ended up a painful experiment and honestly, the shoes/boots looked awful. I've since had bunions removed on both feet and it was the best thing I've ever done. Surgery takes no time, the recovery is a pain, but worth it. I was 43 when I had the first one done in the middle of a September - by the middle of December I was cross country skiing. The second foot took longer to heal as I also had the 'bunionette' removed. (Same type of abnormality at the pinky toe joint of the foot). Maybe because I was also five years older and a bit heavier.

Get a good no-nonsense doctor/surgeon, follow the physical therapy and exercise recommendations and you'll be back in heeled boots next winter.

Pickwickpapers · ‎06-24-2013

I have never been able to wear boots when my bunions are acting up.......wish that i could

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

If your bunions cause you pain, you should see an orthopedic specialist and consider having the surgey. I would not go to podiatrist for that type of surgery. Several friends and co workers and even my brother have had bunion surgery. The recovery is easy for some, not so easy for others. But everyone I know is happy to finally be pain free and happy that they don't have to deal with the shoe issue. I actually have bunions on both feet but mine don't hurt at all. Or I should say they only hurt when I wear the wrong shoes. I manage to work around the problem. Mid May through Mid September, I wear sandals. In the winter, I wear Clarks mules, the rounded toe accommodates my bunions. I do wear ankle boots and tall boots; I need a soft leather or suede and I go up a size and I buy a wide width. If it weren't for the bunions, I would not need a wide width. Then I use a foam innersole or heel pads to deal with any slipping or rubbing issues. I have 2 inch heel, pointy toe pumps that I wear for special occasions. I went up a size, I bought a wide width and then I put two foam innersoles in the shoe and a heel pad to keep them from slipping. I considered having bunion surgery but I can work around the problem and since my bunions do not hurt, I declined surgery.

goodstuff · ‎03-09-2010

Footsmart.com recommends shoes for various kinds of foot problems, including bunions........but this is their only boot choice for bunions. I'm not blown away by the style, but I think it puts you on the right track; look for a boot made out of stretchy fabric that gives your bunion soft, accommodating space. And perhaps buy a wider width than you usually would for extra room.

http://www.footsmart.com/P-Flexus-by-Spring-Step-Womens-Devonshire-Ankle-Boots-83699.aspx

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

I feel your pain, Serenity! I had bunions on both feet, and many years ago I had one foot fixed (before the microscopic surgery they have now). Because of my situation, they had to break the bone leading to my big toe and reset it at a different angle and put a pin in my foot, cast for six weeks, etc. I had no idea about that kind of thing, but it kept the bunion from coming back. So it might be wise to seek the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon if you're considering surgery. Needless to say, I never went back for the other one! But I understand the surgery for an uncomplicated situation is much easier now.

I almost always have to buy wide width shoes and boots, and some work okay and some don't. It's really just trial and error. I have some Clark's boots, some White Mountain, some Weatherproof winter boots, and many pairs of sandals such as BOC by Born and Baretraps, all from QVC. They do have a much bigger selection of wide widths than I can find anywhere else. When I find one that works, I buy in multiple colors.

But I did find that I can wear "I Love Comfort" shoes and boots, which I usually find at Sears so I can try them on. (They're also available online.) They don't have a wide width, but for some reason the Medium works for me. I found some last year, and bought them in brown and black, and actually bought two pairs of the black in case I wear one out. I loved the style and knew I would never get tired of it, that's why I bought the two pairs.

So I guess I would say again, it's trial and error. And buy multiples when you find one that's really comfortable!