Kids Get Them Too: A Look at Juvenile Bunionettes

It’s hard to say definitively that Jerry Seinfeld’s lucky kicks were responsible for getting the Mets into the World Series this year, but let’s see if you can make the case that they weren’t! Sure, you might bring up deGrom and Harvey’s stellar pitching, the Cespedes acquisition, or Daniel Murphey’s magical run through the first couple of postseason series, but we’re inclined to think back to those vintage Spike Lee-directed Nike ads and the tagline “It’s gotta be da shoes!”

So maybe Seinfeld’s footwear provided luck for the Mets, but shoes can play an even more important role when we look at providing comfort for juvenile bunionettes.

Some are surprised to hear that these particular toe deformities, and their “big brother” bunions, can be found in children. This surprise typically comes because of the common association between bunions and bunionettes and women’s shoes. It’s not often that children, especially boys, spend excessive amounts of time in tight pumps and stilettos, so it makes sense that this is unexpected.

In spite of the association, there is currently no definitive evidence that these joint deformities are actually caused by women’s footwear. More likely, the condition begins with an inherited foot structure and then is exacerbated by the pressure that comes from wearing high heel shoes.

Certain foot structures in children result in excessive pressure being placed on the front, outside edge of the foot. This is the area where bunionettes develop, and feet that have high, rigid arches are more likely to lead to an issue.

When a child develops a bunion or bunionette, our goal is to treat the condition with conservative measures. These include icing, padding, and especially the right kinds of shoes. The best footwear for a child with a toe deformity will be a model that has a wide, deep toe box.