Can You Wear Shoes After Bunion Surgery
Published November 19, 2024
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Following bunion surgery, the healing process during recovery is crucial.
In case you or a close family or friend has undergone bunion surgery, read on to find out whether you can wear shoes after bunion surgery.
Why Does Footwear Matter After Bunion Surgery
Following bunion surgery, it is essential to wear footwear that is supportive, fits correctly, and feels comfortable.
Wearing shoes that are too tight or don't fit properly can cause or exacerbate bunions on a patient's feet.
Therefore, when selecting shoes after surgery, take into account your level of activity, post-surgery symptoms like soreness, sensitivity, and swelling, and the terrain you'll regularly walk on.
Can You Wear Shoes After Bunion Surgery?
Yes, you can wear shoes after bunion surgery though your wearing of shoes is limited to a post-surgery shoe for the first 3 - 6 weeks.
You can't wear regular shoes till about 6 weeks' time as this will be required to safeguard your foot for some time.
How Long Before You Wear Regular Shoes After Bunion Surgery?
The length of time needed for healing following bunion surgery differs from person to person.
However, it's crucial not to go barefoot in the house at any time.
On average, you can get your stitches taken out after a few weeks and a patient might expect to wear a post-surgery shoe for around six weeks.
Then, following around 6 weeks, you can switch back to regular shoes, including sneakers.
After ten weeks, certain individuals will even have the ability to put on dress shoes though some may require more time.
If your healing process takes longer than others, there isn't any need for concern. Recovering fully from bunion surgery may require up to one year.
Shoes You Can Wear After Your Bunion Surgery
You might be curious about which shoes are suitable to wear following your surgery.
Wearing the most appropriate shoes post-bunion surgery can help reduce discomfort and pain.
Here are our recommendations for the ideal shoes to wear after your bunion surgery:
Leather Shoes
Our first suggestion is to wear leather shoes post-bunion surgery.
Following a bunionectomy, it’s crucial to utilize footwear constructed from a pliable material that can adjust to any swelling.
Leather is supple, breathable, pliable, and long-lasting.
In the summer months, wearing leather shoes helps prevent your foot from rubbing.
Soft shoes are necessary post-bunion surgery, and avoiding any friction on the joint of the big toe is crucial.
Arch Support Shoes
When choosing a shoe post-bunion surgery, it's important to remember that you want to avoid the recurrence of bunions.
Regrettably, not every bunion surgery is effective and they may return.
To prevent bunions from occurring again, seek out footwear that inhibits the development of bunions.
An effective shoe for avoiding bunions post-surgery will feature a supportive arch.
Shoes that provide arch support keep your foot positioned correctly and help avoid overpronation.
This is the internal rolling of the foot during walking, which is a crucial element in the development of bunions.
Hence, we suggest wearing this kind of comfortable footwear post bunion surgery to maintain the appearance of your feet as desired!
Wide Toe Area Shoes
Another type of suitable shoes you can wear are those with a wide and spacious toe-box.
The shoe's front part where the joint of your swollen big toe is located is known as the toe-box.
Following a bunionectomy, it's important to give your feet some air.
Shoes post-bunion surgery should not restrict your toes, apply pressure, or cause any rubbing.
Wide-toe-box shoes do exactly this.
Then, you might also consider searching for shoes that have a rounded toe design instead of a pointed one.
Typically, rounded toes are more comfortable and have less potential to cause pain near the bunion region.
Supportive Shoes
An ideal shoe for post-bunion surgery provides great support for the entire foot, particularly focusing on the big toe.
Therefore, search for shoes that feature a sole that is resistant to shocks.
This is crucial as it lessens the force of smashing your foot on the ground while walking.
Wearing such high-quality shoes that offer both heel and support will really help you.
They will also support your feet in a proper alignment and enhance your stability and alignment.
They will even aid in distributing pressure evenly throughout your feet and avoiding strain on your forefoot.
Wearing supportive shoes is crucial to reduce the risk of harming the joint of your big toe and enhance joint mobility.
Low Heels
Low heels or flat shoes are typically one of the most recommended footwear choices following bunion surgery.
If you put on an extremely high-heeled shoe post-bunion surgery, you'll be risking putting too much pressure on your foot's front and the newly operated toe joint.
However, wearing a shoe with a lower heel post-bunion surgery helps distribute your weight evenly on your foot, reducing the likelihood of pain.
Certain surgeons even recommend a minimum waiting period of six months post-bunion surgery before patients can wear high heels.
Therefore, it is best to avoid wearing high heels taller than 2-3 inches if necessary.
However, if you’re set on wearing high heels, simply be patient for a few months till your large toe joints are fully healed.
High heels will then be available for you to wear.
Conclusion
You can wear softer shoes after bunion surgery and around six weeks, you'll then transition to wearing sneakers and afterward move on to regular shoes.
Any shoe you wear should have a cushioned upper that is gentle and spacious enough to prevent any discomfort near your surgical area.
Your podiatrist can provide you with guidance on the optimal option and it is recommended to always consult your doctor for medical guidance.
