Things You'll Need:
- Specialist shoe store
- Podiatrist
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Step 1
Have both feet measured. You may have a bunion in just one foot or it may be worse in one foot, making your feet different sizes from each other. Always buy shoes to fit the larger or wider foot.
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Step 2
Find a shoe with a lace or a strap. The laces can be adjusted to allow more room in the front of the shoe to accomodate your wide foot. A lace or a strap also holds your foot in place so that it does not slip forwards in the shoe. You'll want the widest point of your foot to correspond to the widest part of the shoe. If your foot slips forward, your bunion will be irritated and the deformity may worsen.
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Step 3
Avoid shoes with stitching, straps or seams that run across the bunion. This will only add presure to a susceptible area and can cause corns, calluses or bruses.
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Step 4
Look for elastic uppers for the front area of the shoe. Elastic can stretch and will accomodate any toe deformitites.
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Step 5
Think of wearing an open-toed shoe in the warmer weather. Choose a sandal with no material over the bunion, but a good ankle strap for support.
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Step 6
Find a shoe with a removable insert so that you can have more room for your foot and your orthotic, which you should be wearing if you have a bunion.
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Step 7
Visit a specialist shoe store that stocks wider and deeper fitting shoes. Take your orthotic with you to make sure you achieve the pefect fit while wearing the orthotic. Otherwise, when you later place the orthotic in the shoe, the shoe will be too tight.
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Step 8
Take your new shoes to your podiatrist if you are unsure about the fit. They may be able to adjust them slighly by placing padding in the shoe or allow the shoes to adjusted by a prosthetist or orthotist. They may refer you to a shoe maker to have a pair of shoes made specifically to your measurements.
