Bunions - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Creator: Dr. Maan Taba
Published: 2025-01-30 21:22:35

Updated On:January 30, 2025

What are Bunions?

The bony protrusion on the joint at the base of your big toe is called a bunion. It happens when a few of the front foot's bones shift out of position. This pushes the base of your big toe joint to protrude and pulls the tip of your big toe toward the smaller toes. Over the bunion, the skin may be painful and inflamed.

Bunions may develop or worsen if you wear tight, narrow shoes. In addition, foot deformities, medical conditions like arthritis, or even just the shape of your foot can cause bunions.

On the joint of your little toe, smaller bunions, or bunionettes, may form.

Causes of Bunions

The specific aetiology of bunions is uncertain, even though several explanations have been proposed. Causes of bunions might include the following:

Genetics
Stress or injury to the feet
Birth defects

The question of whether footwear just aids in the development of bunions or if tight, high-heeled, or excessively thin shoes is yet to be answered by specialists as there are still opposing views.

Certain kinds of arthritis, especially inflammatory ones like rheumatoid arthritis, may be linked to bunions.

Symptoms of Bunions

A bunion's tell-tale symptoms include the following:

A protruding lump around the base of your big toe
Redness, swelling, or discomfort around the joint of your big toe
Corns or calluses: they often form where the first and second toes rub against one another; they can cause constant discomfort or sporadic pain; they can also limit the movement of your big toe.

When to see a doctor for Bunions?

Even though bunions usually don't need medical attention, consult your physician, a podiatrist, or orthopaedic expert if you have any of the following symptoms:

Persistent foot or big toe ache
A noticeable lump on the big toe joint
Less mobility in the big toe or foot
Having trouble finding shoes that fit well due to a bunion

Bunions Risk Factors

The following factors may make bunions more likely to occur:

Wearing high heels typically crowds your toes since they push your toes toward the front of the shoes.
Unfitting footwear. Bunions are more prone to occur in those who wear shoes that are too pointed, too small, or tight.
Arthritic rheumatism. You may be more susceptible to developing bunions if you have this inflammatory illness.
Genetics. The inherent architecture or structure of your foot may be the cause of your propensity to develop bunions.

Bunions Complications

Bunions may cause the following complications:

Bursitis. The tiny, fluid-filled pads that cushion the bones next to your joints can become inflamed and cause this excruciating ailment.
Hammertoe. Pain and pressure can be caused by an irregular bend in the middle joint of a toe, commonly the toe adjacent to your big toe.
Metatarsalgia. The ball of your foot may enlarge and hurt as a result of this ailment.

Bunions Diagnosis

A bunion can be determined by your doctor by just looking at your foot. An X-ray of your foot taken after the physical examination might assist your doctor decide on the best course of action.

Bunions Treatment

Depending on how severe your bunion is and how much discomfort it produces, there are several treatment options.

The following non-surgical procedures might ease a bunion's pressure and pain:

Changing into new shoes. Put on wide-toed, comfy shoes with lots of room for your toes.
Cushioning. Non-prescription, over-the-counter bunion cushions or pads might be beneficial. They can lessen your discomfort by serving as a cushion between your foot and your shoe.
Medicine. You can manage your bunion discomfort by using acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Injections of cortisone may also be helpful.
Insoles for shoes. By distributing pressure uniformly as you move your feet, padded shoe inserts can help lessen your pain and stop your bunion from growing worse. Some patients find comfort with over-the-counter supports, while others need prescription orthotic devices.
Using ice. When your bunion gets inflamed or after you've been on your feet for an extended period, applying ice to it can help reduce swelling and pain. See your doctor before using ice if you have decreased sensation or circulation issues in your feet.

You may require surgery if conservative therapy is unable to alleviate your symptoms. Only when a bunion interferes with your everyday activities or gives you recurrent pain is surgery advised, not for cosmetic reasons.

There are several surgical techniques available for treating bunions, and no single method is optimal for all cases. Bunions can be surgically treated as a single treatment or in many sessions. They might consist of:

Eliminating the enlarged tissue surrounding your big toe joint
Breaking off a portion of the bone to straighten your big toe
Correcting the incorrect angle in your big toe joint involves realigning one or more forefoot bones to a more normal position.
Permanently joining the afflicted joint's bones

Following a bunion treatment, you might be able to walk on your foot immediately. Full healing, nevertheless, may take several weeks or months. After healing, you'll need to wear appropriate shoes to avoid a recurrence.

Bunions Prevention

Make cautious shoe selections to help avoid bunions. There should be room between the tip of your longest toe and the end of the shoe, and they should have a broad toe box with no sharp toes. Your shoes should fit your feet like a glove, without pushing or compressing any area of your foot.

References

Aebischer, A. S., & Duff, S. (2020). Bunions: A review of management. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49(11), 720-723.

Alzurahi, A. (2021). Bunion Symptom Disorder: Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment.

Dias, C. G., Godoy-Santos, A. L., Ferrari, J., Ferretti, M., & Lenza, M. (2020). Surgical interventions for treating hallux valgus and bunions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9).