Hi, I'm an amateur tango dancer who has had a bunion operation on one foot (left) about 4 years ago. There is a bunion on the right, but it's not too severe and the surgeon felt it wasn't necessary to do both feet.
I never wear heels in real life, but I have to wear 8cm pin heels to dance tango. I've recently noticed that the heels of my tango shoes are warping. Instead of dropping down perpendicular to the floor, both heels are warping with the bottom of the heel going towards the left; it's worse on the right shoe. I think it's because I find it difficult to put my weight to the inside and my foot is falling out. I'm seeing a podiatrist next week, but can anyone suggest what I can do to rectify the problem? Tango shoes are expensive and I've ruined several pairs already.
Hi Yuri, I don't think this is the right place for this question.
This is an interesting question because I understand how much a hobby like dancing brings to life. On one hand you need to figure out what you are doing with your foot to cause to pronation or supination. Then you have to decide if whatever you need to do to correct your dance footwork will compromise the structural integrity of your foot. I suspect this is less a footwear issue than it is a question of what is best for your feet and the quality of your life. Personally, although I love to dance, having just suffered through the first 18 days after bunion surgery, I cannot imagine making my ability to dance a priority over being able to walk without pain throughout the rest of my life if that were the necessary trade off.
Hi lindleyk
Thanks for your feedback. I feel for you re bunion surgery. I never experienced pain like it and don't intend to go through it again! I had the surgery, because dancing was causing the left foot terrible pain. Once the foot healed there was no more pain, but I lost some sensation on the inside of the foot and struggle to stop it from rolling outwards. It's not a problem when wearing trainers or flats (I wear Vibram five fingers whenever possible, but it's just too cold in the winter!), but does making dancing difficult and I was wondering whether orthotics or specific exercises would help. I do Bikram yoga to strengthen the foot and improve my balance. I'm sorry I didn't explain things very well; I'm not complaining about ruining expensive tango shoes, but wanted ideas on what I could do to tackle the foot problem.
Sounds like a convo with your podiatrist is the right next step.
Hi mrsmop, you are quite right. I didn't realise this forum was for diabetes patients. I can't find a way to delete the thread so I assume it will die a natural death. Thanks for pointing it out.