Bunions *See recommended items below

Bunion. This is a severe inflammation on the side of the big toe, generally accompanied by pain, swelling and soreness.

Tailor’s Bunion. Also called a “bunionette” occurs on the outside of the 5th metatarsal. Like a bunion it shares the same symptoms and can be very painful when the shoe presses or rubs against it.

What causes a bunion? Genetics do play a role in our feet. If our parents had big or little feet we are predisposed to similarities of their feet from the genes that have been passed down. More specifically though, the types of footwear one chooses has a direct correlation to the pains associated with bunions.  Shoes that are to tight, high heels that put all the pressure at the ball of the foot and force the toes into a pointed toe box and shoes that are too small, are all believed to contribute directly to the specific cause and effects associated with bunions.  

Finding relief; trace your feet and place your shoe over the traced impression. The outline of your foot should fit inside the boarders of the shoe, if not the shoes are likely to small. Allowing the feet enough room to expand and contract is vital to foot comfort. The majority of many foot problems are directly related to the types of shoes one wears, and how the shoes have been fit.

Wear Shoes That Fit Well

Follow these "10 Points of Proper Shoe Fit" developed by the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society in collaboration with the National Shoe Retailers Association and the Pedorthic Footwear Association:

• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don't select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
• Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
• Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet changes as you grow older.
• Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Fit to the largest foot.
• Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (3/8-inch to 1/2-inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
• Don't purchase shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to "stretch" to fit.
• Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slippage.
• Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right (fashionable shoes CAN be comfortable!)

More about bunions:

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/toeproblems/a/bunions.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunion

Top Recommended Shoes and Sandals for Bunions:
Women’s Shoes: Rush, Ladina, Lanny, Ecuba
Women’s Sandals:  Myrta, Mariet, Canisia, Helen, Heidi, Hannel,
Men’s Shoes: Match, Storm, Habbo, Tyrmin, Abel
Men’s Sandals: Shark, Zaverio, Zonder