Medieval Footwear Created Similar Problems as Today’s Shoe: MD Podiatrist

Archaeologist Simon Mays examined the remains of two British skeleton series; one was from the early medieval period, and the other was from the late medieval period. Mays found evidence of bunions only with the later remains, “consistent with archaeological and historical evidence for a rise in popularity during the late Medieval period (at least among the richer social classes) of narrow, pointed shoes which would have constricted the toes.”
 
 
“A narrow toe box can apply further pressure to the toes and push them into a different shape, much like wearing a corset,” Daniel Michaels, DPM says. “The findings of the Cambridge team highlight these issues have been around for quite some time. It would appear that the fashion choices of the 14th century inflicted similar issues from footwear as we see presenting in clinics today.