A bunion forms when your big toe points outward toward your second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.
Alternative Names
Hallux valgus
Causes
Bunions are more common in women than men. The problem can run in families. People born with abnormal alignment of the bones in their feet are more likely to form a bunion.
Wearing narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes may lead to the development of a bunion.
The condition may become painful as the bump gets worse. Extra bone and a fluid-filled sac can grow at the base of the big toe.
Bunion
Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.
Red, thickened skin along the inside edge at the base of the big toe.
A bony bump at the first toe joint, with decreased movement in the toe site.
Pain over the joint, which pressure from shoes makes worse.
Big toe turned outward toward the other toes and may cross over the second toe. As a result, corns and calluses often develop where the first and second toes overlap.
Difficulty wearing regular shoes.
You may have problems finding shoes that fit or shoes that do not cause pain.
Exams and Tests
A health care provider can very often diagnose a bunion by looking at it. A foot x-ray can show an abnormal angle between the big toe and the foot. In some cases, arthritis may also be seen.
Treatment
When a bunion first begins to develop, you can do the following to care for your feet.
Wear wide-toed shoes. This can often solve the problem and prevent you from needing more treatment.
Wear felt or foam pads on your foot to protect the bunion, or devices called spacers to separate the first and second toes. These are available at drugstores.
Try cutting a hole in a pair of old, comfortable shoes to wear around the house.
Talk to your provider about whether you need inserts to correct flat feet.
Stretch the calf muscle of your leg to have better alignment of your feet.
If the bunion gets worse and more painful, surgery may help. The surgery calledbunionectomy realigns the toe and removes the bony bump. There are more than 100 different surgeries to treat this condition. Please discuss with your surgeon which type can help you and why.
Outlook (Prognosis)
You can keep a bunion from worsening by taking care of it. Try to wear different shoes when it first starts to develop.
Wexler D, Campbell ME, Grosser DM. Kile TA. Bunion and bunionette. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 84.
Version Info
Last reviewed on 6/8/2022
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe
second toe
the first toe, also known as the hallux ("big toe", "great toe", "thumb toe"), the innermost toe; the second toe, ("index toe", "pointer toe"), the third toe, ("middle toe"); the fourth toe, ("fore toe")
Wearing narrow or pointed shoes that crowd your toes (shoes with a narrow toe box). The way you walk (your foot mechanics). Health conditions that cause inflammation (like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus). Standing for a long time or working on your feet.
Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis. Smaller bunions (bunionettes) can develop on the joint of your little toe.
Bunions are often hereditary. Even if you don't wear high heels or ill fitting shoes, you may still be genetically predisposed to develop bunions if your parents or grand parents have or have ever had them.
The pressure from the big toe can force the second toe out of alignment, sometimes overlapping with the third toe. While bunions are most common among adult women, they also can occur in tweens and teens between the ages of 10 and 15. Teenage girls are three times more likely than boys to get bunions.
A sure-fire way to exacerbate your bunion is to stand on your feet all day. Walking or running a marathon is the worst thing you can do for your bunion, and if you have a job that keeps you on your toes, you may need to take some time off to heal.
Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.
Choose shoes with plenty of wiggle room in the toes, and avoid pointy shoes entirely. Opt for shoes with low rather than high heels, which can worsen symptoms. Finally, make sure your shoes have plenty of arch support to relieve pressure on your toes.
Bunion. Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.
If left untreated, a bunion can cause arthritis, especially if the joint in the big toe has sustained extensive, long-term damage. Bunions may cause the cartilage in the joint to deteriorate. While bunions can be remedied through surgery, arthritis and the possibility of chronic pain are not curable.
Gout may be mistaken for a bunion because one of the most noticeable gout symptoms is a red, painful swelling around the big toe joint. However, unlike bunions, which form over a long period and gradually produce pain, gout often generates sudden and sharp pains.
How can I prevent a bunion from forming? Choose appropriate shoes. If you have a tendency to get bunions, avoid wearing shoes that are tight. While heels have a reputation for being the most restrictive type of footwear, it may actually be your comfy runners that are causing the biggest problem.
Additional causes of bunion development include: Overpronation: Having a low arch or uneven weight-bearing, making the toe joint unstable. Hypermobility: Having a big toe bone that moves more than usual. Foot injuries, repetitive stress, and overuse injuries.
The cause of bunions is not always known, but you may be more likely to get them if you wear shoes that do not fit properly. It might help to: make sure your shoes are the correct size and have enough room for your toes. avoid shoes with high heels or pointy toes.
Bunions can't be reversed, and unfortunately, they don't go away on their own. Once you have a bunion, it will likely continue to grow over time. Luckily, many people don't need to have surgery to treat their bunions. It's possible to find pain relief through home remedies, orthotics and other treatments.
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