Bunions - Symptoms and Causes (2024)

Definition

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.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

  • 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.

Teenagers may have more trouble treating a bunion than adults. This may be the result of an underlying bone problem.

Surgery reduces the pain in many, but not all people with bunions. After surgery, you may not be able to wear tight or fashionable shoes.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if the bunion:

  • Continues to cause pain, even after self-care such as wearing wide-toed shoes
  • Prevents you from doing your usual activities
  • Has any signs of infection (such as redness or swelling), especially if you have diabetes
  • Worsening pain that is not relieved by rest
  • Prevents you from finding a shoe that fits
  • Causes stiffness and loss of movement in your big toe

Prevention

Avoid compressing the toes of your foot with narrow, poor-fitting shoes.

References

Greisberg JK, Vosseller JT. Hallux valgus. In: Greisberg JK, Vosseller JT, eds. Core Knowledge in Orthopaedics: Foot and Ankle. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:56-63.

Murphy GA. Disorders of the hallux. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 82.

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.

Bunions - Symptoms and Causes (1)A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Bunions - Symptoms and Causes (2024)

FAQs

Bunions - Symptoms and Causes? ›

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")
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Toe
. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.

What causes you to get a bunion? ›

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.

What causes bunions to flare up? ›

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.

How do you get bunions to go away? ›

Treatment
  1. Changing shoes. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space for your toes.
  2. Padding. Over-the-counter, nonmedicated bunion pads or cushions may be helpful. ...
  3. Medications. ...
  4. Shoe inserts. ...
  5. Applying ice.

Who is prone to bunions? ›

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.

At what age do bunions develop? ›

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.

How can I shrink my bunions naturally? ›

  1. Massage and Exercise Your Feet. One of the simplest ways to treat your bunions without surgery is to, in fact, exercise your feet. ...
  2. Take a Paracetamol. ...
  3. Soak Your Feet in a Foot Bath. ...
  4. Ice Your Feet. ...
  5. Put Your Feet Up! ...
  6. Try Castor Oil. ...
  7. Try Bunion Pads. ...
  8. Try Bunion Splints.
Jul 20, 2022

What foods aggravate bunions? ›

If you have bunions, you'll want to avoid high-purine foods like:
  • Red meat.
  • Shellfish.
  • Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.)
  • Certain types of fish (anchovies, sardines, herring)
Apr 12, 2023

What worsens 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.

What autoimmune disease causes bunions? ›

Elliott Perel sees many patients who've developed bunions, not just from stress, but also from other causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Is walking barefoot good for bunions? ›

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.

How do you stop a bunion from progressing? ›

Wear the right shoes

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.

Do toe spacers help bunions? ›

Bunion toe spacers cannot cure bunions, but they can help manage pain and prevent further damage to the toe joint.

What is the root cause of a bunion? ›

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.

What happens if a bunion is left untreated? ›

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.

How do I know if it's a bunion or gout? ›

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.

Can you stop a bunion from forming? ›

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.

Are bunions caused by stress? ›

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.

How do you stop yourself getting a bunion? ›

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.

Can you reverse a bunion? ›

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5948

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.