Why Women's Feet Hurt More in Autumn

published by American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Fall is not a fun time of year for women like Elaine Powers.  In the summer months, "like everybody else, I like to wear flip-flop sandals, open-toed shoes, a nice pedicure with good nail polish," she says.

But as autumn arrives, the 49-year-old South Carolina hospice nurse is making the annual changeover to closed-in shoe styles more appropriate to the cooler weather. It's a transition many women are making in their wardrobes. But it's more painful for women like Powers, and not because she's a slave to foot fashion. Powers has bunions.

"Even after you take your shoes off, or put your feet up, it's just a throbbing… It's almost like every time your heart beats, that bunion throbs," she says.  Women with bunions are a common sight in the waiting rooms of many foot and ankle surgeons during this time of year.

St. Louis foot and ankle surgeon Karl Collins, DPM, FACFAS, gives two additional reasons for this annual trend. One is financial. Women are closer to meeting insurance deductibles near the end of the year.  "The other thing is, people are very active in the summer," Collins says. "They're always outdoors, they're always at the pool or whatever, so they will decide to get their bunion fixed in the winter, because in their mind, they're not missing anything fun."

Powers has suffered with bunion pain for nearly 25 years. However, many women never experience pain from their bunions, even when the deformity looks severe. Shoes do not cause bunions, but they may cause bunion pain. That's why foot and ankle surgeons recommend shoe modifications to new patients. Avoiding high heeled shoes and styles that crowd the toes together can help. Collins says proper shoe selection and adjustment can go a long way.

"If they have a shoe that fits well everywhere else, but there's just a little bit of irritation at just that one spot, we may recommend that they have the shoe modified (by a shoe repair shop)," he says.  South Carolina foot and ankle surgeon Michelle L. Butterworth, DPM, FACFAS, treats a lot of teachers with back to school bunion pain. She says many women don’t understand what doctors mean about shoe width: It's the front of the shoe that needs to be wide.

"Anything that's real pointy is going to put more pressure on that (bunion) bump," she explains.  In addition to recommending shoe changes, foot and ankle surgeons may also prescribe foam- or gel-filled padding, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections for bursitis, nerve irritation and joint irritation. While these techniques address pain, they do not stop the bunion from getting worse. Only surgery can correct the deformity.

Bunion surgery boasts a high success rate. But surgeons agree that patients need to understand what their procedure and recovery will involve.  "Probably the biggest thing is, they think surgery's not going to work and (the bunion is) going to come back," says Butterworth. "It's probably the biggest myth I dispel."

Powers is one of her patients.  "That's one of the reasons why I haven't had this surgery before now," Powers says. "A lot of people tell me once you have (bunions), you are always prone to have them, they'll come back."

Following the surgeon's instructions for recovery can significantly reduce the chances of a bunion returning.  "If wearing four-inch heels and working on your feet all day wasn't good for you before the surgery, it's certainly not going to be good for you after the surgery," notes Michael Loshigian, DPM, FACFAS, a New York City foot and ankle surgeon.

Powers hasn't made up her mind about bunion surgery. She's already tried prescription pain medication, and struggles to find comfortable shoes. This fall, Butterworth will perform bunion surgery on Powers' 19-year-old daughter, who inherited her mother's feet. Powers wants to see how that turns out. She also has to worry about finding someone to cover her 12-hour work shifts for several weeks.  But if she does choose surgery, she already knows how she'll celebrate after her recovery.

"I'm buying a pair of stiletto heels and I'm wearing them everywhere I go," she jokes.

Please call Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center office located in Las Vegas and the Henderson area, which we have 3 locations to serve you.  Call to schedule you appointment @702-878-2455 between 9am to 5pm, Monday thru Friday and closed for lunch between 1pm to 2pm.  Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com where all of your questions may be answered and to also schedule your appointment.

When pain or injury occurs, you deserve highly personalized treatment using the most advanced techniques.  At the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center (FallCenter), you’ll enjoy an unsurpassed level of quality care.  Dr. Ricciardi, Dr. Shalev and Dr. McLeod are proud to provide comprehensive solutions for all types of foot and ankle problems. 

Your quality care begins the minute you arrive, as our staff greets you by name and answers your questions.  Our team of foot and ankle specialists will inspire your confidence and their genuine warmth and compassion will earn your trust.

You’ll receive a prompt and thorough assessment, including on-site diagnostic ultrasound and digital x-rays.  Your treatment plan is designed to resolve your condition without surgery whenever possible.  When surgery is needed, your feet are in the hands of leading physicians with expertise in the latest minimally invasive techniques.  As a result, you’ll be back on your feet and back to your active life as quickly as possible.

Without proper treatment, an injury or chronic condition can keep you from performing even the simplest everyday tasks.  To meet patients’ most critical health needs, Dr. Ricciardi, Dr. Shalev and Dr. McLeod have developed the following “Center of Excellence” treatment programs: Bunion Solutions, Heel Pain, Diabetic Foot Care and Sports Performance Center.