How Foot Solutions Helped Caroline Complete a 150 Mile Walk
Despite always wearing good fitting, well-constructed shoes, Caroline Stacey, a keen walker from North London has had to live with bunions on both feet for over thirty years. As her mother had experienced similar foot issues, Caroline had always accepted the condition as a hereditary issue and as the bunions only caused slight discomfort, ‘got on’ with her life.
However, the slight discomfort gradually worsened over the years particularly in her right foot. As a teacher and charity volunteer, Caroline needed to spend long periods standing but foot pain was making this increasingly difficult and also limiting her walking trips. She sought the advice of a podiatrist, who confirmed bunions as the main problem and also identified a ‘Tailor’s Bunion’ (sometimes known as a bunionette) on her right little toe.
The podiatrist prescribed an orthotic device for the bunions which unfortunately proved ineffective. Thinking that different footwear might provide a solution, Caroline tried lots of shoes and boots but couldn’t find any that were both comfortable and wide enough to accommodate her bunions.
Luckily, a friend of hers who had experienced similar issues recommended Foot Solutions in Richmond. Realising that it was a quick and easy journey from North London on the Overground (Mildmay Line) to Richmond, Caroline made an appointment and is very glad she did.
As she explains:
“I felt in safe hands at Foot Solutions. In addition to the hi-tech foot assessment and thorough gait analysis, they also took time to understand my work and lifestyle requirements and were able to provide a solution tailor-made to my specific needs.
The consultant explained how as we get older, the arches in our feet start to collapse, and it was this that was pushing my feet and my bunions outwards against the sides of my shoes.
They recommended custom arch supports to stabilise my feet and prevent the arches from collapsing. I also bought a wonderful pair of Finn Comfort walking boots.
The combination of the arch supports worn with the Finn Comfort boots means I can wear them comfortably all day, and easily walk for 10 miles or more. These (now trusty) boots have taken me on tremendous routes including the 150 mile London Loop and the 78 mile Capital Ring. Now I can’t imagine walking in any other boots. Also, wearing the custom arch supports with existing work footwear stops my feet from ‘flattening’ and allows me to stand comfortably for hours at a time in my teaching and charity roles.
I am really pleased with my Foot Solutions purchases; they have proved to be a really good investment.”
How Do Custom Arch Supports/Insoles Help With Bunions?
Custom arch supports, when worn with appropriate wide-fitting footwear, help to successfully manage the symptoms of bunions in four key ways:
- Relieving pressure – by properly aligning the feet and evenly distributing body weight, custom arch supports help reduce pressure on the big toe joint
- Pain relief – reducing pressure on the big toe joint with the bunion helps minimise discomfort
- Better balance and stability – this helps improve foot biomechanics and in turn divert pressure away from the painful joint
- Slowing bunion development – the alignment, balance and biomechanical benefits listed above can help slow down the progression of the bunion
Caroline walking with friends in her Finn Comfort boots