Bunions continue to be a subject that no one likes to talk about - in fact, many people don't know exactly what a bunion is!

Approximately 14 million people suffer from bunions in the UK, with 10 million being women, it's time to discuss and embrace our feet to help remove stigma of the condition.

 

 

 

What is a bunion (Hallux Valgus)?

 

A bunion is a misaligned toe joint that manifests itself as a bony lump at the base of the big toe. It occurs when the long foot bone (first metatarsal) moves outwards, resulting in the big toe moving towards the second toe. Due to this movement, the big toe shifts the other toes into abnormal positions, which cause more issues such as hammer toes, corns and chronic foot pain.
 

 

What are the causes of bunions?

 
There are numerous underlying causes of bunions such as:
 

1. Poorly Fitting Footwear - this is unlikely to be the only cause and a bunion is something a person will have a predisposition to. Poor footwear with a narrow toe box will exacerbate the problem if worn for a long period of time. The Sole Bliss collection provides a range of comfortable shoes for bunions and flat feet.
   
   
   
2. Genetics - it is likely that we inherit foot bone shapes and joint flexibility that lead to the development of a bunion.
   
   
   
3. Biomechanics - flat feet (over pronation) and unusually flexible joints are thought to cause bunions due to joints becoming less stable when body weight is distributed abnormally.
   
   
   
4. Pregnancy - the hormone, Relaxin, which loosens up ligaments to allow the pelvis to widen for childbirth, can also affect the feet amongst increase in weight too.
   
   
   
5. Tight Calf Muscle - tightness causes the foot to pronate abnormally leading to more weight being put on the forefoot.
   
   
   
6. Obesity - excess weight on your foot joints result in an abnormally pronated foot posture and a change in gait patterns.

 

 

 

 

DR DAWN HARPER, SOLE BLISS AMBASSADOR SAYS...

"High heels don't cause bunions. Sole Bliss contains patent-pending 'Juanet' technology, which includes the 'Bunion Bed.' This is a carefully positioned stretch panel inside the shoes that moulds around the bunion relieving the pressure and supporting bunions."
 

 

Why are bunions more common in women?

 

Both men and women can suffer from bunions but given that women's shoes often require the foot to contort into an unnatural position, it is no wonder bunions are uncommon in men. With Sole Bliss' collection it is easy to find elegant and stylish range of bunion friendly women's shoes that will not put your feet in unnatural positions.
 

 

How to treat bunions?

 

According to Kumar Kunasingam - a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in foot and ankle problems-, the only way to correct bunions is surgery. However, this does not guarantee your bunion will not return. Surgery may not be suited to everyone but there are ways to alleviate discomfort in the short-term with fashionable shoes for bunions.
 
Find out more information on bunions here.