Dealing with foot pain can be painful, frustrating, and even confusing. Several conditions can appear to be something they’re not. Bunions, for example, are commonly confused with bone spurs.
Although the two may appear similar, there are a few key differences. All foot pain is manageable, but not in the same way. Treatment for bunions and bone spurs is also different, so it is essential to get a proper diagnosis before choosing any treatment plan or making assumptions. So, let’s get right to comparing the two conditions: bunion vs. bone spur.
What is a Bunion?
In short, a bunion is a bony bump that can form on the joints of your big and little toes. They are often painful and will not go away on their own. There are various treatment methods for bunions that can be tried, depending on the type of bunion, its location, and its severity.
The formation of bunions typically occurs when the toes remain in an uncomfortable angle for extended periods. This most commonly occurs when wearing improper footwear. Some examples include high heels, dress shoes, or shoes that don’t fit properly. However, genetics can also play a part in the formation of bunions. The shape and structure of bones in the feet can make some people more susceptible than others to bunion formation.
What is a Bone Spur?
Bone spurs are distinct from bunions in several key ways. Bone spurs are the growth of an extra bone, typically at a joint where two bones meet. Bone spurs occur when the body is trying to repair missing cartilage, resulting in an extra bone forming beneath the skin.
It is more common to get bone spurs with age. Bone spurs can vary in size and can be extremely painful. The type of shoes you wear can also play a role in the formation of bone spurs. If the shoe does not fit correctly, the cartilage is more likely to deteriorate and cause a bone spur.
Obesity is another cause of bone spurs. The extra weight bearing down on your feet can cause your joints to become exhausted. Blunt force and injury can also cause the cartilage to break down and bone spurs to form.
Bunion vs. Bone Spurs
There are many similarities and differences between bone spurs and bunions. The two can appear to be very similar because they feel like a bump on your big toe’s joint. They both can cause redness and swelling of the toes and surrounding areas as well. Both can result from improper footwear as well.
There are, however, some critical differences between bunions and bone spurs. Bunions are a deformity of the bones and a soft-tissue imbalance. On the other hand, bone spurs are most likely formed by trauma to the joint or by arthritis.
Ill-fitting shoes and genetics are the primary causes of bunions. While the wrong shoes can also lead to bone spurs, they are also caused by injury, weight, and age.
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Distinguishing the differences of a bunion vs. bone spurs can be confusing. To put an end to your pain and find a solution, reach out to Northwest Surgery Center. You can schedule your consultation today. We’re ready to help!
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FAQs
There are, however, some critical differences between bunions and bone spurs. Bunions are a deformity of the bones and a soft-tissue imbalance. On the other hand, bone spurs are most likely formed by trauma to the joint or by arthritis. Ill-fitting shoes and genetics are the primary causes of bunions.
How do I know if I have a bone spur or a bunion? ›
Bunions and bone spurs are two of the most frequently encountered deformities in the feet. Bunions appear as a noticeable bump at the base of the big toe joint, while bone spurs are bony protrusions that develop on the surface of a bone.
What is the difference between a bunion and a heel spur? ›
It does not form on your heel like a spur. Bunions form on the joint at your big toe's base. Bunions develop when bones at the front of your foot shift out of place. You can get bone spurs due to arthritis at the top of the big toe's joint.
Is Tailor's bunion a bone spur? ›
Sometimes a tailor's bunion is actually a bony spur (an outgrowth of bone) on the side of the fifth metatarsal head. Heredity is the main reason that these spurs develop.
What can be mistaken for a bunion? ›
Is It a Bunion or Something Else? 6 Health Problems You Might Mistake for Bunions
- Gout. ...
- Rheumatoid arthritis. ...
- Osteoarthritis. ...
- Bursitis. ...
- Ganglion cyst. ...
- Sesamoiditis.
A heel spur, otherwise known as an osteophyte, is a bony outgrowth that starts at the heel bone. Looking at an x-ray, the spur often looks like a small spike or hook which faces the inside of the arch - an appearance that leaves many automatically assuming that they must be like a painful splinter.
Can you feel a bone spur with touch? ›
Bone spurs are usually small, about a fourth of an inch (. 6 cm) long, which can make them difficult to detect. They may cause pain, inflammation, and swelling in the foot, and the area might feel warm to the touch. Eventually, a small protrusion may become visible.
Can a foot bone spur go away? ›
Once formed, heel spurs are permanent. Surgery is the only way to remove a heel spur. Since heel spurs usually don't hurt, treating the condition that caused your heel spur should help ease your heel pain.
How do you get rid of bone spurs in your foot without surgery? ›
While there are things you can do to relieve the symptoms of heel spurs at home, you can't remove the bony growth without surgery. Some things you can do include: Cold compresses to relieve pain. Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
How do you stop a bunion or bone spur from growing? ›
Preventing bone spurs on the foot
Even so, you can lower your risk of developing one by maintaining a healthy weight, reducing pressure on your joints, and wearing the right type of footwear. If you have flat feet, wear insoles designed to provide arch support.
A bone spur near the big toe joint is often mistaken for a bunion. While these two issues may feel similar, the treatment is different if you have a bone spur.
Is a bunion a bone sticking out? ›
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place. This causes the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out.
How to dissolve bunions naturally? ›
Bunions can be managed at home and with the help of a medical professional such as a podiatrist to reduce symptoms. Options include changing footwear if necessary, using pain relievers, doing bunion stretches, and even using nighttime splints. However, bunions don't shrink, dissolve, or reverse from these treatments.
Are bunions hard or squishy? ›
The most noticeable bunion symptom is a hard bump at the base of your toe. This bump isn't movable and doesn't hurt in the early stages.
What are the 4 stages of a bunion? ›
There are different stages of a bunion which are shown below: A – Grade 1 (no deformity); B – grade 2 (mild deformity); C – grade 3 (moderate deformity); D – grade 4 (severe deformity). Conservative options have been reported across the literature with mixed results.
Why is my bunion suddenly so painful? ›
A fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, cushions the bone near the joint on your big toe. When that joint gets bigger because of a bunion, the bursa can get swollen and painful -- that's called bursitis. This can make it hurt even more and may damage the smooth tissue that covers the joint, called cartilage.
What are the symptoms of a bone spur in your foot? ›
Symptoms
- Pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel.
- Pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. The pain goes away after a few minutes of walking.
- Greater pain after (not during) exercise or activity.
Perform a physical examination. Test your joint's range of motion and strength. Order imaging tests, like X-rays to look for arthritis and spurs or CT scans or MRIs to identify damaged ligaments or tendons.
Do foot bone spurs go away on their own? ›
Heel spurs can't be cured. Healthcare providers recommend non-surgical treatments to ease symptoms associated with heel spurs.
Does a bone spur feel like a lump? ›
A bone spur is a growth of extra bone where two or more bones meet that forms as the body tries to repair itself. Bone spurs on top of your foot can feel like a hard lump or bump underneath the skin. The chances of developing a bone spur in the foot increase with age.
