Medieval trend for pointy shoes led to bunions explosion, study shows

A rise in toe-joint dislocations coincided with the rise in popularity of a pointy-toed shoe called a poulaine.

L-R: excavated bones showing signs of hallux valgus; part of a period picture of a poulaine sole

A medieval trend for pointy shoes led to a sharp increase in bunions, a study of skeletons has suggested.

Cambridge University researchers analysed 177 skeletons from four cemeteries in and around the city.