Boots & bunions

[mendelboaz]

Hey everyone,

after my hobby for collecting leather jackets spurred out of control, I figured I also needed a large collection of engineer boots. I have worn and collected them for over 5 years now, but I started developing serious bunion issues a little over 2 years ago. It's come to the point that I can no longer wear several beloved pairs in my collection. I was wondering if anyone else here on this forum has (had) the same issue, and what you did to deal with the situation.

I recently started wearing lace-up boots more so than engineer boots, and that seems to alleviate the issue somewhat (they're less painful to walk around in, at least).

 

[Canuck Panda]

It could be gout. I have that. Just on the right foot the bunion part would flare up so much I could only wear slip on slides until it goes down. The trick is to slow the booze, and watch the protein intake, spread out the timing, the body can only process so much before it goes to some crystals in the joints. And whenever I sense that something is flaring up, I gulp down a big glass of lemon water, and pee it out. That usually stops it before the flaring up. If I don't catch it early, it's usually a two week thing. Welcome to the middle age.

 

[mendelboaz]

Well, that's the thing. No middle age for me, I'm only 25 years old. It's probably only bound to get worse from here on out.

 

[Will Zach]

Have it diagnosed by an orthopedic physician. Bunions are very different than gout. Bunions, if as bothersome as you describe, can be very successfully treated with surgery. My wife had painful bunions, all fixed now, but needs to avoid wearing high heels. Gout, what Canuck Panda says.

 

[Cocker]

Well, that's the thing. No middle age for me, I'm only 25 years old. It's probably only bound to get worse from here on out.

A friend of mine developped gout at the same age. Of course, he was quite heavy on the booze and red meat. You should get a doctor to see it indeed and assess what it is exactly.

 

[mendelboaz]

It's been officially diagnosed as a Hallux Valgus, and my podiatrist does not recommend surgery. So I'm trying to accommodate my footwear choices that my feet experience the least amount of discomfort, without having to give up my love of boots completely.

 

[Will Zach]

If it ever gets to the situation when you do need surgery, know that it is a procedure of extremely high success rate. Of course on the internet you will find horror stories, which is expected and should be taken with a grain of salt (people who post are a small percentage for whom the procedure did not work well). As I mentioned, my wife had an extremely successful hallux surgery. Happy to share her insights by PM if ever needed.

 

[Bfd70]

I have Hallux rigidus. Arthritis in the great toes. Started aggressively at 40. For me the solution In addition to behavior modification is to wear motion control athletic shoes with an orthotic insole. I could also wear a north face puffer jacket too! Pain be damned, I’d rather look cool!!! Of course I’m 1/2 kidding. A combination of lifestyle (no loading up my forefoot during exercise) and picking the right footwear Works for me atm. All foot surgery comes with risks. Feet don’t heal well.