To prevent bunions Dr. Petkov advises wearing flat and comfortable shoes. By having enough room for the front of the foot, you decrease pressure on the toes and the ball of the foot. You can also start walking barefoot to make your foot muscles stronger and allow your feet and toes to be in their natural position. In some cases, orthopedic shoe inserts (insoles) are recommended. But there is very little research on how well this can avert bunions.