We’re not sure about you but a quick poll in the GLAMOUR office has revealed a rather strange phenomenon – lockdown has played havoc with our feet. Not only are we struggling with fitting our feet into shoes again (how did we actually ever wear heels alllll night?), we’re suffering with bunions and pain like never before.
So, is it just us? We quizzed Christine Yau, musculoskeletal podiatrist at Harley Medical Foot and Nail Clinic about why we might be experiencing foot hell RN and what we can do it about it.
Lockdown was BAD news for our poor feet
Christine said our issues are likely due to “sudden increase of activities after a period of low activities, or due to too much activities without enough rest period.”
She said: “A period of staying at home while wearing comfy wide slippers or being barefoot then going back to tight and narrow shoes or any shoes that press on your toes can cause increase pain on your bunions. When there is an increase amount of pressure on your skin, this can cause callus build up, inflammation and possible ulceration.
“It is also important to look at the mechanic of your foot when you are walking to see, if during your gait cycle, you are applying pressure directly to the bunion. This can also cause pain to other joints in the ball of your foot since you’re likely to be compensating your weight to avoid big toe pain.”
So, what can we do to fix our feet in time for the summer?
“Many things can make Hallux Valgus (that’s the medical term for bunions) more manageable. These things won’t make the bump go away or straighten the toe, but they can make you much more comfortable.”
Christine advises: “Wearing the right appropriate shoes for the appropriate activities, not wearing general shoes when you are going on long walks, for instance, you should be wearing supportive trainers.”
She added: “Shoes are the most important part of managing a painful Hallux Valgus, and you should look for shoes that have the following features:
- Wider shoes: Hallux Valgus usually makes your foot wider than it was before and shoes which do not fit well will worsen your pains. Most adults go up at least one shoe size in their life and so if you have developed Hallux Valgus it is worth checking whether your shoe size has changed. You can find foot measurement guides online.
- Fastening (laces or velcro): Even if you have a wide shoe, if there is no fastening your foot can slide forward in the shoe; squeezing your toes and pressing on the bump. A good fastening prevents your foot from doing this.
- Soft or stretchy shoe lining: This can help reduce pressure from the shoe on the front of the foot. Trainers with an Airtex upper lining can be helpful as they stretch to the shape of your foot.
- Padding: Hallux Valgus can be padded using soft ‘bunion pads’ and ‘bunion sleeves’, which help to stop your shoe rubbing on the lump. Gel toe separators can be useful in keeping the big toe in a straight position and reducing the prominence or rubbing between the 1st and 2nd toes.
- Insoles: Insoles can help in cases where the bunion is causing pain in the ball or sole of your foot or pain in the joint. Your podiatrist can provide these if we feel they might be helpful.
- Exercises and stretching: Improving your ankle and big toe flexibility and strength can help to take stress away from your joints in the front of the foot. Try some towel toe curls and toe mobilisation exercises.
Christine advises anyone suffering from bunion or foot pain to “see a podiatrist early – don’t wait until it’s red and inflamed and you are in so much pain you can’t walk.”
She adds: “Bring your shoes to a podiatrist, they can check if they are the correct size, if they are applying pressure to your foot and if they are appropriate for the correct activities. We can also perform an initial assessment where insoles can be prescribed according to your foot posture and walking gait to help reduce pain to the bunion area.”
“A podiatrist can also examine whether the callus may be causing pressure against the foot and shoes and also manage wound and prevent infection.”
