What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. A bunion forms when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.

Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or might make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of an inherited structural defect, stress on your foot or a medical condition, such as arthritis.

Smaller bunions (bunionettes) also can develop on the joint of your little toes.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a bunion include:

A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe

Swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint

Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe

Corns or calluses; these often develop where the first and second toes overlap

Persistent or intermittent pain

Restricted movement of your big toe

When to see a doctor

Although bunions often require no medical treatment, see your doctor or a doctor who specializes in treating foot disorders (podiatrist or orthopedic foot specialist) if you have:

Persistent big toe or foot pain
A visible bump on your big toe joint
Decreased movement of your big toe or foot
Difficulty finding shoes that fit properly because of a bunion

Causes

Bunions develop when the pressures of bearing and shifting your weight fall unevenly on the joints and tendons in your feet. This imbalance in pressure makes your big toe joint unstable, eventually molding the parts of the joint into a hard knob that juts out beyond the normal shape of your foot.

Experts disagree on whether tight, high-heeled or too-narrow shoes cause bunions or whether footwear simply contributes to bunion development. Other causes include:

Inherited foot type

Foot injuries

Deformities present at birth (congenital)

Bunions may be associated with certain types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory types, such as rheumatoid arthritis. An occupation that puts extra stress on your feet or one that requires you to wear pointed shoes also can be a cause.

Western Medicine Treatments and drugs

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of your bunion and the amount of pain it causes.

Conservative treatment

Nonsurgical treatments that may relieve the pain and pressure of a bunion include:

Changing shoes. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space for your toes.

Padding and taping or splinting. Your doctor can help you tape and pad your foot in a normal position. This can reduce stress on the bunion and alleviate your pain.

Medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve) can help you control the pain of a bunion. Cortisone injections also can be helpful.

Shoe inserts. Padded shoe inserts can help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet, reducing your symptoms and preventing your bunion from getting worse. Over-the-counter arch supports can provide relief for some people, although others may require prescription orthotic devices.

Applying ice. Icing your bunion after you've been on your feet too long can help relieve soreness and inflammation.

Surgical options

If conservative treatment does not provide relief from your symptoms, you may need surgery. The goal of bunion surgery is to relieve discomfort by returning your toe to the correct position.

There are a number of surgical procedures for bunions, and no one technique is best for every problem.

Surgical procedures for bunions might involve:

Removing the swollen tissue from around your big toe joint
Straightening your big toe by removing part of the bone

Realigning the long bone between the back part of your foot and your big toe, to straighten out the abnormal angle in your big toe joint
Joining the bones of your affected joint permanently

It is possible you may be able to walk on your foot immediately after a bunion procedure. However, full recovery can take weeks to months. To prevent a recurrence, you will need to wear proper shoes after recovery. It is unlikely that you'll be able to wear narrower shoes after surgery.

Surgery is not recommended unless a bunion causes you frequent pain or interferes with your daily activities. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect after bunion surgery.

Adopted from mayoclinic.org