Runners with Bunions?

daffodilsoup
daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
I absolutely love running - I've finished the Couch to 5K program and I am slowly upping my run time week by week - I am now up to running 40 minutes at a time. I am loving it, and how it makes me feel, but unfortunately, I have a pretty moderate bunion on my left foot, which makes my toes essentially "snuggle up" to each other because my big toe grows in at an angle. It looks kind of like this, without the rotated toe:

rw_1472735.gif

I've noticed that as I run for longer times, when I take my shoes off my socks are all bloody from my toes rubbing up against one another, and I get pretty monster blisters on my inside arches. I had surgery to "fix" it about eight years ago, but it just involved removing the excess bone and not realigning my toes. The realignment takes about 6 weeks' recovery time and can cause arthritis in the toes, so I haven't really considered it.

Any other runners dealing with these? They aren't bad enough to keep me from hittin' the trails or the treadmill, but it would be nice to have some remedies if anyone has any.

Edited to Add: Can we talk about how much I hate the word "bunion"? It sounds just awful. Really, we couldn't come up with a better word for this? Ugh.

Replies

  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I don't have bunions (though I have a bunch of other wierd things going on in my feet) but I do have shoes that have room to expand for bunions - Nike Vomero.
    I always have trouble finding shoes to fit my very wide right foot without stirring up my surgically-removed-but-clearly-back-again neuromas. The Vomero has been great, and it has "soft circles" to allow the buniony bits to poke out (I suspect Nike may have a more technical description than that!).

    Edited to add: have you seen a podiatrist, they should be able to help with some ideas for strapping/padding or something to minimise the problems when you run.
  • egam
    egam Posts: 127
    toe spacers or even taping your toes can be helpful, if your bunions aren't too big. I get mine at dance stores. Also making sure that you get a good fit with your running shoes. Going to a place where they staff are alittle more specialized may be more expensive, but you'll get a much better shoe that will probably last way longer.

    Happy Running!
  • MissMaggie3
    MissMaggie3 Posts: 2,464 Member
    I am a lot older than you (53) and I have really bad bunions. As a connected problem, I have lost all the cushioning on the soles of my feet, so even walking without orthotics is difficult. I have been told by a podiatrist that my feet were 'not made for a lot of walking' and have been strongly advised not to run. I used to really enjoy hiking, so this was not a good outcome for me. I cope by using a stationary bike for a lot of my cardio, but I miss the fresh air and views a lot. However, I have to say I wish I'd taken more care years ago, when the problem first started. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear! :cry:
  • bode702
    bode702 Posts: 11
    I have bunions, too, and I have the same problem. My toes rub together and I get big, painful blisters. Still haven't found anything to do about it, so for now I'm just running through it.
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