sounds good

wish there was a planet with less gravity we could visit for rehab

it takes years and even decades of abuse in the form of tight, ill fitting or poorly designed shoes to develop bunions. Then, after that long slow process we reach a tipping point where they interfere with our mobility. Now, we expect to reverse the effects of a decade long process in a few weeks.

Realistically, you have to be more patient with your body, and find ways to manage the problem and avoid flare ups, hopefully to get back to the other side of that tipping point. Then by no longer adding to the problem, you have hope of it slowly resolving itself, which in most cases it will.

Wide, roomy shoes, and some support to maintain toe alignment, and some time for the inflammation to ease, and you might get the problem back to where it was less of one.

Summer's coming, consider wearing sandals of the type held on between the big toe and it's neighbor as much as possible (even to work, with an explanation) until September, and your foot might have a chance to fix itself.

Thank you, Francis. It makes sense. I have to urge my daughters (in their 20s) to listen to all medical advice (within reason). I didn't listen, because I didn't understand its importance. It seems that my tolerance for low grade pain is much too high. There were signs, but I didn't feel them, but when I look with retrospect, I see that they were there.

I'm sorry to read this, Tom.

I wonder if you might end up getting custom cycling shoes?

And there are sandals with cleats . . .

Thank you, [MENTION=63590]jyl[/MENTION]. At this point, it's beyond just needing better shoes. When I wake up in the morning and walk to the bathroom, my left foot hurts from walking barefoot. I've tried sandals, and I've even tried pedaling barefoot. Shoes can't undo the damage to my feet.

Do bunion pads actually work?

I am reviving this old thread because I would love to know if the TC found a solution, or eventually had the surgery.

I am dealing with a bunion as well and fear it will keep me from riding one the weather gets better...

Hi there. My solution has several aspects.

I realized I've been walking wrong all my life, with my toes pointed out, and I push off with my big toe, rolling over it. I've also been bearing too much weight with my toes. I'm teaching myself to walk differently, rolling over my feet with the toes pointing forward. I also pedaled with my toes unknowingly.

I got super stiff cycling shoes. I installed the cleats very far back. When I pedal, the whole foot supports the weight. I have more power to offer now. Actually, a bike mechanic installed the cleats with a special alignment tool which ensures my feet are pointed forward and not out. He did this out of concern for my knees, which is a good idea. Now I am also careful to make sure my knees go over my feet as I walk and pedal. I've had knee pain most of my adult life, and it's been mild and manageable, but it has the potential to get worse, so any little thing I can do is a good thing in the long term.

I plan to go back to the podiatrist to get orthotics made for me. My bunions aren't that bad compared with bunions on other people. The podiatrist says I don't need surgery, and that sounds good to me.