DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been reading your column for years but have not seen anything about bunions.

I am a 47-year-old female and have bunions on both of my feet. I work in retail and have to stand all day. At times the bunions and my feet become very tender and start to burn and tingle.

I would rather not have surgery if there are other successful treatment options. Could you please discuss corrective treatments and give your opinion on which is the best?

DEAR READER:
Bunions occur when the big toe points toward the second toe resulting in a bump at the toe joint on the side of the foot.

Bunions occur much more frequently in women and are often the result of repeatedly wearing narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes for extended periods of time (such as to work). These shoes “squash” the toes, pushing the big toe into the second toe. [Read more...]