Bunions Specialist

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the base of the big toe just under the joint. Bunions form when your big toe pushes against your next toe which forces the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. 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, called bunionettes, can develop on the joints of your smaller toes.

What are the signs and symptoms of a bunion?

The skin over a bunion can be red and sore. Other symptoms can include:

• A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe
• Swelling around your big toe joint
• Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe
• Persistent or intermittent pain
• Restricted movement of your big toe
• Corns or calluses

It is recommended to see a podiatrist, or orthopedic foot specialist if you have any of the following:

• 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

What causes a bunion?

Bunions develop as a result of the pressure of bearing and shifting your weight unevenly on the joints and tendons in your feet. This imbalance will make your big toe joint unstable, eventually molding the parts of the joint into the hard knob, or bunion, that juts out beyond the normal shape of your foot. 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.

Other causes include:

• Inherited foot type
• Foot injuries
• Deformities present at birth
• Tight, high-heeled or too-narrow shoes