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PRESS RELEASE
Bunions and how to prevent and treat them
Advice from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
29 January 2010
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists has the following advice for other bunion suffers.
Recent research from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists revealed that 80 per cent of women suffer from foot problems and 15 per cent from bunions. Contrary to popular opinion, bunions are not actually caused by shoes. They are most often caused by a defective mechanical structure of the foot, which is genetic, and these certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion.
Shoes themselves are not the sole cause of bunions, but wearing shoes that squeeze the forefoot, crowding the toes together can exacerbate the underlying condition, causing pain and deformity of the joint (known as Hallux Vagus). Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery can correct the defect.
Lorraine Jones, podiatrist, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said: “While shoes do not cause bunions, they can aggravate the problem, so if you’ve noticed a bump developing where your big toe joins the foot, it may be time to switch your footwear. Try to opt for wider shoes that provide your toes with room to move and keep your heel height to no more than 4cm for maximum comfort.”
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists provides the following top tips to happy high-heeled feet:
- Wear backless high-heeled shoes in moderation. Backless shoes force your toes to claw as you walk, straining the muscles if worn over a long period.
- Vary your heel heights from day to day, one-day wearing low heels, and the next day slightly higher heels. Current footwear fashion is great for this – lower-shoes, wedges, and mid-heels are all on-trend so whatever heel height you opt for, you never have to feel out of vogue.
- If you want to wear a heel every day, keep heel heights to 4cm and below
- Gladiator shoe-boots may prove a good option for the current platform/high heel trend – wearing a shoe with a strap or lace over the instep holds the foot secure and acts a bit like a seatbelt in a car and helps stop your foot sliding forward.
- Calf stretches to counteract the shortening of the calf and help to keep feet supple; keeping a good range of movement. To stretch your calf and heel, stand facing a wall with feet hip width apart and slightly bent at the knee. Take one step forwards, and using your arms to lean against the wall, keep your leg in front bent and the leg behind straight. Both feet should be flat on the ground. Lean in towards the wall, as you do, you should feel your muscles stretching in your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this with each leg about five times.
For further information and advice and where to find your nearest HPC Registered podiatrist, visit www.feetforlife.org
- ENDS-
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2138 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th - 20th July 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
For further information or comment from SCP please contact;
3 Monkeys Communications
Zoe Belhomme/ Edith Barton-Harvey
zoe@3-monkeys.co.uk/ edith@3-monkeys.co.uk
0207 009 3150 / 0207 009 3118
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 2-Feb-2010
Categories: Common Foot Problems, Bunions
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