Foot shape getting wierd with Tailors bunion? Advice going into mtn hiking season – temporary or permanent?

Any other advice?

er… Dr. Google?…

see a podiatrist

billy

My bunions have always been there and have gotten more pronounced and uncomfortable lately. From what I am told by those who've had surgery they often come right back.

I am doing well with Birkenstock insoles that have a metatarsal arch support (corrects flat footedness that leads to the bone malformation) and Keen Voyageurs which are wide enough in the toe box.

Podiatrist will help – a good one who is looking at your feet vs random people on the internet will be infinitely more helpful.

I would try to find either a podiatrist who is a runner/backpacker

or a podiatrist who works in a sports medicine clinic who sees lots of athletes…

billy

… Google …

Not entirely off base as hikers here have hiked with wierd foot shapes (pointy middle toes and bunion to the side). My problem is that the area is still a bit inflamed.. If not a traumatic amputation, there's usually time to do a little research (helps having some academic background in anatomy). I'm finding seeing a physician will likely mean a corticosteroid shot if RICE and an anti-inflammatory cannot help (I'm willing to half my beer consumption to show my commitment … maybe quarter it).

.. comes back .. after surgery Lori, that's what I would try to avoid if at all possible. Last thing I want to do is be off my feet reading Chaff (I'd have to triple my beer consumption)

Ed: title

If it's a bunion it is a bone issue… inflammation isn't a problem for me. Deep down in the bone pain is… the skin gets a bit red but the anesthetic i apply each day to avoid the pain of walking on a neuroma all day does nothing for the bunion.

@ Lori: that will hopefully be avoided if possible. If the inflammed region becomes worse and permanent after self-care, I'll see a podiatrist.

It can't hurt to see what a podiatrist says.
You don't have to do what he/she says.

I have googled medical issues before going in to see the doc only to find out from him that: either what I thought it was, it wasn't or they have a different solution that I could find on the internet.

Just treat a visit to the podiatrist like any other information gathering research.

billy

I have large bunions on both feet.

I prefer hiking in trail runners over boots, but regardless of what I get I buy them in a 4E (preferably) or a 2E if the 4E width isn't available. Provided the toe box of my footwear is large enough, I don't need to do anything special to protect from blisters.

Boots…I blister in them, even if I get good wide ones and have them professional stretched for a better fit. Double socks help, and covering potential hot spots with Leukotape is a good idea. I always blister in the exact same spots, so I know where to put the tape.

No idea if your bunion is treatable. For mine I'd require surgery and I'd rather not, so I just buy accommodating footwear.

Once the swelling went down, found callouses with blisters underneath same location on both feet which gave away about 4 wks ago. Definitely a shoe fit problem. Got a copy of "Fixing Your Feet" by Vonhof .. outstanding for skin type problems. First time I've had these issues after 30 years in trail runners to tactical/combat boots – I'll definitely be looking at wider pairs, get re-measured, etc.. after taking fit for granted.

I agree with Dena, wide toe box shoes are your friend.

I've had bunionettes (little toe side bunions) for some years now, found out about them in training for my first long distance hike. I have had foot surgery, but for another condition. My foot doctor told me that for the bunionettes I could either have surgery or get wider shoes. Duh!

It does complicate the shoe search. The insidious thing for me is that shoes that feel fine for relatively short distances can start to make my feet ache after a few 10's of miles. The only way I feel secure with a pair of shoes now is if I walk 50 miles or more in a continuous trip in them. Then I buy several more pairs and am happy until I run out again.

I used to use Golite shoes, then they made a slight change to the last (the sort of foot-shape that the shoe is designed around). In recent years I've been using ASICS, the particular model that works for me are the Gel Kahana's. I've used a couple of different iterations (yearly models) of these and am still happy; they wear well, dry reasonably fast, and in size 4E the toe box works for me. FWIW, my feet are nominally about a size 10 and I wear 11-1/2's, but that's not unusual for long distance hikers.

Best of luck in your search. As shoe manufacturers seem to want to tinker with their models every year, once you find a pair that you're sure will work for you — you might want to buy several more of that specific model.