Hallux Valgus Deformity – WARNING: Even Children Can Develop Bunions!

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s bunions? Do you feel like you try a whole bunch of different styles but you always end up empty-handed? Finding a pair of shoes for a child with bunions can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience if you don’t know what shoe styles to look for. That is the reason why I have put together a selection of the deepest and widest shoes that will help treat and prevent Hallux Valgus deformity.

The proper term for a bunion is Hallux Valgus. You might be asking yourself: Why did my child develop a bunion? It is believed to be caused by genetics and is hereditary. If your child has developed a bunion, you shouldn’t worry too much. While a bunion can be extremely painful, wearing the correct type of shoes is the most effective way to stop the pain and eliminate discomfort.

Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the best shoes for kids with Hallux Valgus deformity.

What Role Do Shoes Play in Preventing Bunions?

I am always explaining to parents how the most effective way to treat and prevent bunions is by wearing the correct type of shoes. I strongly suggest that you don’t leave this condition untreated, as it can lead to further complications for your child’s feet and toes.

Surgery should only be a last resort for children who have persistent and significant pain. The only time that surgery is recommended is if the child is facing a considerable amount of pain since chances are that the bunion will return even after surgery. Most of the time, a child who has a bunion also has flat feet or overpronation. If your children are pronating excessively, they might be putting excessive pressure on their big toe, preventing its normal function.

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Hallux Valgus?

There are only certain types of shoes that will accommodate a bunion. Most parents make the common mistake of thinking that providing their children with an extra wide shoe will automatically reduce the pressure on the bunion. There are actually 2 other key features that the shoes must provide:

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the toes from rubbing against the top part or side of the shoes.  Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t.

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents your children’s toes from being pressed against the side of the shoes. Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t.

While there is only a small selection of shoes that provides those two features and that are also available in wide and extra wide widths, the good news is that I will help you find them.

Let’s see if you knew these facts about Hallux Valgus and how they can affect your children’s feet:

➡️ Did you know that hallux valgus occurs more often in girls than in boys?

➡️ Did you know that shoes that are too short may also contribute to the development of bunions in children? Genetics remains the number one cause.

➡️ Did you know that kids with flat feet tend to have higher occurrences of bunions?

The biggest issue of dealing with a bunion is that the pain will not only come from the bunion itself since this condition will indirectly affect other parts of your feet.  Your child will change his/her walking gait and this will affect the toes.

Let me prove it to you.

The person below developed blisters and calluses on her toes as a result of having to adjust her walking gait because of the bunion.

I will provide you with a selection of the best shoes to help treat and prevent a Hallux Valgus deformity, but first I want to show you how you can figure out your child’s exact foot size from home.

Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Get it Right!

I created a resource that showcases the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state.

If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.

In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

As I mentioned before, purchasing a pair of extra wide shoes for your child and hoping that the shoes won’t rub on the bunion is simply not enough. We must find shoes that come in extra wide widths that are also deep enough for your kids’ feet to fit comfortably in the shoe. This will prevent the bunion from rubbing against the shoe.

I only write reviews of shoe styles that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best shoes for Hallux Valgus deformity.

The Best Shoes for Hallux Valgus Deformity

Below you will find the best shoes for Hallux Valgus deformity that are available in wide (W) and extra wide (XW) widths. These are also the deeper shoes that come with the roundest toe-boxes. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world.

The Best Socks for Children with Bunions – Seamless Socks!

If your child has developed a bunion, wearing the correct types of socks can also help reduce the pain. Socks are important because they act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the formation and build-up of bacteria inside the shoes.

There are certain types of socks that are seamless and will allow your kids’ toes to freely move, preventing them from overlapping or rubbing against one another.

While I can’t get into too much detail about which are the best seamless socks for children in this article, you should refer to another article I wrote where I describe them in more detail.

Seamless socks are also great for children with sensitive feet who feel every bump and lump.

Shoes play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet and legs healthy. Providing your children with the correct type of shoes will end up saving you a lot of time and money in the future.

Always take your children seriously when they complain about foot or leg pain. Remove their shoes immediately and look for redness around their feet and make sure the big toe or the small toe are not being pressed against the sides of the shoes.

There will be certain cases in which even after trying the widest shoes, your child still will feel like his/her bunion is being pressed against by the shoes.

Have you ever heard of something called a shoe stretcher? I have used a shoe stretcher for children who suffer from foot conditions such as bunions, hemihypertrophy, or six toes. Shoe stretchers are extremely effective in helping stretch the shoes in the widest area.

Now that you know which are the best shoes to accommodate your child’s bunions, you are ready to make the most informed decision.

Get in Touch With Us for a Personalized Suggestion

Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via e-mail and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Do you have a child who has developed a bunion? How about you, parents, are you suffering from a bunion? Have you found shoes that helped relieve the pain? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!