While tight, pointed-toe shoes can contribute to the development of a bunion, they are rarely the cause. However, shoes make excellent scapegoats. It’s easy to see them encouraging a bunion to form now that high heels with pointy toes are back in trend.
In reality, a bunion develops as a result of foot and mechanical instability, which causes the first metatarsal bone, the bone before the big toe, to shift over. Tight shoes may speed up the process, although it will continue even in well-fitting shoes.
If you see a bump on the side of your foot, get medical attention immediately. When a bunion is caught early and treated, the flawed mechanics can be corrected with a custom orthotic to restore foot stability. It can help prevent or slow the progression of a bunion.
