I wish someone took the time to sit me down when I was a teenager to tell me about bunions, hammer toes and tailors bunions… sounds horrific, I know. They truly are a horror to any fashionable gal, but it is much, much more common than you think. YOU probably have them. It’s probably not that bad, that’s why you think it’s normal to have the sides of your feet hurt after wearing your stilettos for a couple of hours.
Some girls have them because of the way they walk or because of inherited genes. But most people have them because of years of wearing high-heels (anything more than 2 inches), narrow shoes, über fashionable pointy pumps or shoes that are a size too small.
A bunion is a bony swelling at the base of the big toe (definition & image below from NHS Choices) and the toe getting pushed out of the alignment towards the smaller toes.
To further illustrate my point, here are some real life celebrity bunions. See those bumps & how Posh’s big toes are angled inward (because of all the pointy shoes)? THAT is a bunion. Image via faradulista.com
Paris Hilton, that must really HURT. Image via daily mail
And a moment of silence for the fall from grace of Oprah’s feet… (the bump on her smallest toe is what we call a Tailors Bunion/Bunionette)
A Tailors Bunion/Bunionette is similar in symptom and cause as the bunion. Usually there is an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot, but it can also be caused by our glamorous sexy footwear. So sad. =(
image source + more information on how to prevent here.
Jennifer Garner’s poor pinky toe – extreme bunionette?
Why is it called a tailor’s bunion? The deformity received its name centuries ago, when tailors sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground. This constant rubbing led to a painful bump at the base of the little toe.
– http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/tailors-bunion.htm
Last but not the least: The Hammertoe (every time I say this, I hear “Hammertime! Taa-naaa-nanah!” playing in my head).
Looks sorta normal right?
Which hammer toe are you? Or do you have all 3?!? =P
You can have one toe or all your toes affected by this. The name comes from the way the toe hits or hammers the floor with each step. Again it can be an inherited tendency. Or from years of wearing high heels, with your poor toes holding on for dear life to keep your feet from slipping down your steep, wedged sandals. It can also be from your toes getting scrunched up into the hammer position inside your fabulous pointy pumps. You’re toes become so used to such positions that they can no longer stretch back into their normal positions – they get stuck.
Celebrity Hammer toes:
Katie Holmes image via stylefrizz.com
Without getting too technical, the problem with all of these is that your feet will:
- hurt/blister/get swollen when you’re wearing certain types of shoes because of the bumps constantly rubbing against the shoe
- get corns and calluses
- look horrific and deformed
And the only solutions are:
- not to wear the fabulous/sleek/chic sexy fuck-me high-heeled shoes that all women love
- wear low heeled (2 inches max) shoes with wide toe boxes & contoured footbeds – think Birkenstock & Crocs (GASP OF HORROR!)
- ice, pain meds, various cushions/accessories for feet
- surgery (Ouch!)
After finding all these things out, I’ve resolved to wear more comfy footwear daily and to wear heels only when it’s a must. This is a HUGE change for me, because I used to pride myself for being able to drive while in 5 inch elevator shoes.
I remember our horrified reactions when we were taught about Chinese foot binding in school, then raced off to the mall to buy the newest/trendiest painful, foot-deforming footwear. In some way we are still doing this ancient practice, only now it’s self-imposed and with just trendier styles to choose from.
It really isn’t fair how shoe styles keep getting more beautiful and chic, and how the comfy, “healthy” footwear have to be SO darn ugly. On my birthday, I am going to wish for someone to invent gorgeous comfy shoes, with wide toe boxes and contoured footbeds!
UPDATE:
I went and saw a orthopedic surgeon who specialized in feet and he emphasized to me that the only thing worse than high heels are flats. Flats ruin your feet as well. According to him my arches have fallen because of this.
- Does this mean FLAT SHOES = FLAT FEET?!? Eeeep! *Then I realize that I now have fatter (and flatter) feet than before coz I used so much flats while walking here in Jakarta
My MIL was having pain for the longest time, and when she changed to wearing wedge type slippers (at home) and shoes (meaning a little cushion in front (1/2 and inch) and 1-2 inches in the back (+ wearing proper Nike footwear for walking on the treadmill) all the pain in her feet went away!
So the best thing really is to have 1-2 inches (low heels) at the back and when possible some cushion for your feet in front too like about 1/2-1 inch. Now I don’t have to tell you that it shouldn’t be the same height in the front and back do I?! =P Coz that would just be flats all over again! LOL!
Ok, this at LEAST makes me feel better that Victoria Beckham has bunions. Hahahaha
I know!!! TOTALLY right?!?! Her perfection always inspires, yet at the same time pummels one’s self-esteem! Now you can tell yourself, they’re not perfect after all… they have BUNIONS! =P
Ouch … They look awful and very painful! Thank you for the info, TheDiploWife! 🙂
Goodbye, high heels … and hello, birken and crocs! Well, not totally though. 🙂 I can’t afford to say goodbye to my high heels, but I will let them rest for a while. 🙂 hehe
As a student of Physical Therapy, I see these all the time in the clinics I work at. They really ARE horrific. Take good care of your feet ladies! Function before fashion! 🙂
It’s so hard though, especially for shorties like me!!! WAaaaaah! As I said, beauty is pain. Sigh.
Interesting! Im thankful I dont have any coz I only wear high heels when necessary.
All I can say is thank God I am a man and that I only wear comfortable shoes… those toes were a horror show… Yikes!
Hahaha! In this respect men are lucky! But not ALL men can escape The Bunion. Apparently “they affect up to a third more women than men.” I wonder how they get it? Would love it if anyone can tell me the answer to that!
zomg – found your blog because my post on bunions is on your “related posts!” Great find! I have giant bunions as a result of genetics AND high heels — which I try to avoid now. Fun to see all those ugly celeb feet — made me feel a little better about mine. 🙂
Thanks Marie! I started researching on these banes to women’s existence because I found out that it’s in my family AND I always wore high heels too! I’m seeing an orthopedic doctor soon to talk about prevention! I’m glad that my post made you feel a bit better =P I definitely felt better when I found out that it could happen to even the most fabulous of us, her royal fashion highness SJP! =)
This entry made me feel glad I wear flats most of the time. Although I think I may have a slight bunionette. 🙁
Hi Lauren, do you wear ballet flats or open flats?
what a meticulously researched post! now i don’t feel so bad about not wearing killer heels all the time. my feet are still in pretty good shape, thank goodness!
holycrap! love this blog! so funny… and true.. thought twice before throwing heels on last night!!!!
funniest thing.. i was at church today and i caught myself judging what kinds of hammer toe-types people had! hahaha.
god forgive me.
HAHAHAHA! You are SO funny Inez!!! Once you know about these things, you’re eyes really open up right?!? Toes and feet are never the same again!!!
I thought Jennifer Garner was hot. Now, I’m not so sure. The pics have had the same effect on me as those with Megan Fox’s clubbed thumb. Sad but true…
bothering! and at the same time very informative.. thanks for sharing this miss diplomatic = )
You’re welcome Yammy! =)
I love this, so funny..and informative! Refreshing to note that Victoria Beckham and I share some sort of kinship.. I’ve got the biggest bunion in the entire universe although I think hers is worse
As I said Malu… Beauty is pain.
It IS totally comforting to know that our fashion idols are not perfect! I don’t feel so bad about my super fat feet now! =P
NO TO BUNIONS! YES to more classic flats with a twist! =)
Let me know where to send you your pair of sole sister flats dear! =)
Visit our facebook page: Solesister Lifestyle =)
Hey Tanya, bunions are caused by pointy-toed shoes that push the big/pinky toes inward. I was wondering how the toe boxes of your shoes are? If they are rounded and have lots of space? I wish you could send them here to Indonesia, but it’s really not a good idea. We sent something via Fedex before and they took it hostage for 2 MONTHS because we refused to pay “extra charges” upon arrival. Will check em out the next time I head home to Manila!
Hey DiploWife! =)
Thank you for this very informative post! Posted it on our blog and on FB also so that our shoppers can see too and get informed!
Our shoes are super comfortable! Function without compromising fashion! =) They’re usually rounded but with lots of space. They’re perfect for those with wide feet and very fragile toes. =)
Are you coming home soon? Let’s meet up so I can give you a pair! Let me know when you’re back?
Let’s keep in touch dear! =)
Love your blog! Tag me! hehe =)
How interesting your post is! My sister-in-law had a surgery for bunion. It looked very painful. I love high heels, but I stopped wearing them during pregnancy (I did sometimes wore them) and when my kids were babies, but now I really enjoy them. Women seem to sacrifice a lot for fashion.
thank u for sharing this. 🙂