My poor little footsies!

[tangomonster]

52 years without any foot problems. Then less than a year after ER, I DH was kind enough to point out that I have bunions! I honestly hadn't noticed. I am extremely upset because I have never worn high heels or narrow/too small/pointy toed shoes. It seems to be a hereditary thing (not the actual bunion, but the pronation or turning inward of the foot which can lead to bunions). I could care less about how it looks (well, maybe that's not entirely true) but I am concerned that it will eventually become painful and hard to walk (walking is both a fitness and spiritual activity for me) and require expensive/painful/disabling surgery.

Bunion surgery can be about $18K, according to a friend who recently had it done. Months of not walking. No guaranteed results.

I now have a high deductible insurance policy (10K). I could consider switching to a lower one, but as other threads have pointed out, if they ever found out I had knowledge of this condition and the future need for surgery, I'd be screwed. So I've not yet been to a doctor.

Also, I think my arches may have collasped some and that the padding on my feet has thinned out. No longer comfortable to stand on hard floors barefoot. Of course I haven't lost fat anywhere else (), just the bottoms of my feet!

As anyone had (or have) bunions? Surgery? Podiatrist vs. orthopedic surgeon?

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

If they don't hurt, or require only a different style shoe, you could be good for another 10,000 miles on those feet. I wouldn't go near bunion surgery with a 10 foot pole if they aren't causing problems.

[Moemg]

I have worked with both Orthopedic and Podiatrists who do the surgery .I also have bunions and have seen bunion surgery done many times .If they aren't painful don't have the surgery unless your toes are starting to cross over .Buy comfortable shoes and Dr.scholl's foot pads for the arches .As to who I would go to to have it done .I 'd chose a foot surgeon .They are usually either a Podiatrist or a orthopedic who did a fellowship in feet and ankles .If by any chance you are in Cleveland ,I know a great foot surgeon there.

[lazygood4nothinbum]

my youngest nephew couldn't pronounce my name properly as a babe and so he used to call me uncle onion. well, now uncle onion has a bunion.

it's on my right foot and acts up mainly after about 3 to 4 miles of walking so i've reduced my 5 mile beach walks. i do like walking though so sometimes when i bike to the beach i first change out the pedals and wear sneakers so i walk the bike for a few miles and then get back on the bike when my bunion starts to act up.

in the few years i've been dealing with it, it seems only to have changed the angle of my big toe very slightly, perhaps because it is more on top of my foot than on the side.

bunions aren't necessarily from bad shoes (mine is basically just more arthritis). i've lived by the motto "always buy the best bed and the best shoes because if you are not in one you are in the other." i've studied the surgery option and agree with doc: i would avoid bunion surgery unless it was absolutely the last option.

[kitty_37]

orthopedic inserts from the podiatrist to keep the foot in line and give you the support you need in the right place. $400-$500 , a small price! They stabilize the foot from "rolling."

[Gotadimple]

Others here have posted, but I read that in addition to your bunions, it hurts you to walk barefoot. Get a referral to a podiatrist. You're probably looking at orthotics.

They'll solve your achey feet.

But the flip side is that you're limited to the types of shoes you can wear. I have them and wear them -- just don't like how they limit my choices in footwear.



-- Rita

[OAG]

DW has the surgery a few years ago. If there is any way to AVOID it do it. It was painful and took twice as long to recover. Her Surgeon was one of the best too.

Personally, a few years ago I went to a Podiatrist for some very painful feet. Got so bad I could not even walk very far. Two appointments, 3-5 minute examinations by two doctors in the office and they wanted to schedule me for Surgery or I could purchase the inserts for about $1,000. Got a second opinion from a NAVY DOCTOR who said before doing the surgery take this exercise chart for your feet and do the exercise for at least two weeks and get yourself some "good" shoes. Did the exercises, purchased 2 pair of SAS (expensive but no where near the cost of inserts) Shoes (one pair for inside the house and one pair for outside) after about 10 days pain subsided and now about 8 years later I have no problems walking up to 7 miles a day.

I too have very large bunions, wider and "good" shoes is my solution to that problem. With all of the walking I do it seems to work just fine.

Good luck but I would avoid the "knife" at any cost.

[Moemg]

Dr.Scholl's has a generic orthotic that one of my RN friends swears is as good as her made to order orthotics and a whole lot cheaper.

[Texas Proud]

My mom had surgery many many years ago... had to have teflon joints inserted they had to cut so much out... loves them.... did not have much pain.... but the doctor that operated on her did tell her that most doctors do not do it right and that is why so many people have long term pain...

Now, two of my sisters have had it done... one just recently... she was saying that one of her bones is no longer connected (happened before the surgery) and she can not bend her tow downward... but she is much happier that she had it done than before....

Just as a point of info... all had their tow almost going 90 degrees toward the little tow.... not good to start with...

[Caroline]

My dad had very bad bunions on both feet -- he was orphaned at 6 and the ill-fitting, hand-me-down shoes he was given to wear made a mess of his feet.

Finally had the operation on both feet and was delighted with the results.

[Sue J]

For those of you looking for all those accessories for foot problems, I got a catalog from FootSmart :: Shoes, Socks, Slippers, Support Hose, Foot Care, Orthopedic & Comfort Products

Nice selection of comfortable shoes, inserts, all kinds of things for all sorts of foot problems.

[FinanceDude]

When I ran 70-80 miles a week I had a bunion pain exacerabted by structural problems from Morton's toes.

Orthotics and a gait analysis took care of it, and 20 years later, no problems.........

Bunion surgery is a LAST RESORT..........

[HFWR]

"For those of you who wear tennis shoes, or the occasional python boot..."