Bunions: Causes, Symptoms, And Diagnosis - Healthline

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Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on June 12, 2017

Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Outlook and prevention

A bunion is a bump on the side of the big toe. It results from an abnormality of the foot bones causing your big toe to lean toward your second toe instead of being straight.

In some cases, the bump is painless. Over time, however, a bunion will cause the toes to crowd together. This can cause pain, and possibly a permanent deformity.

What causes bunions?

Bunions are generally thought to be genetic. They occur because of faulty foot structure, which is inherited. Some conditions that contribute to the development of bunions include flat feet, excessively flexible ligaments, and abnormal bone structure. Some experts believe shoes that don’t fit properly cause bunions, but others think shoes only worsen an existing structural problem.

Bunions usually become worse over time. They can be aggravated by:

tight or too-small shoes that cause your toes to crowd together and put pressure on your big toe
shoes that have high heels or pointy toes — these styles force your toes together
standing for long periods of time
arthritis symptoms in your feet

What are the symptoms of bunions?

In addition to the bump, signs and symptoms of a bunion may include:

red and inflamed skin on the side of your big toe
your big toe turning toward your other toes
thick skin on the underside of your big toe
calluses on your second toe
foot pain that may be persistent or come and go
difficulty moving your big toe

The pain associated with a bunion might make it difficult to walk. See your doctor if you experience:

persistent foot pain
inability to find shoes that fit you comfortably
decreased flexibility in your big toe
a large lump on or near the joint on your big toe

How are bunions diagnosed?

In most cases, a doctor can diagnose a bunion through visible inspection, since many of the signs are outwardly present. During a physical exam, your doctor may ask you to move your toe back and forth to check for limited movement. Your doctor will order an X-ray if they suspect an injury or deformity. An X-ray can detail the severity of the bunion and pinpoint its cause. A blood test might also be necessary to rule out arthritis as a cause.

How are bunions treated?

There are surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for your bunion.

Nonsurgical options

Nonsurgical options include:

wearing shoes that have padded soles and provide adequate wiggle room for your toes
having your physician pad or tape your foot into a normal position, which reduces pressure on the bunion
taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
wearing over-the-counter arch supports in your shoes

Surgeries

Surgery might be necessary if nonsurgical options don’t help you. Many surgical procedures are used to treat bunions. Your doctor will recommend the best procedure for your situation. However, most surgeries to correct bunions include a bunionectomy.

A bunionectomy involves:

correcting the position of the big toe by removing some of the bone
removing swollen tissue from the affected joint

Full recovery from a bunionectomy can take up to eight weeks. In most cases, you’ll be able to walk on your foot immediately following the procedure.

Complications from bunions

An untreated bunion can cause irritation to the fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint, called the bursa. This causes the bursa to become inflamed and swollen, which causes pain and tenderness and may lead to limited movement of the other joints in the toe. This condition is called bursitis.

Other possible complications of bunions include:

toe or foot deformity
stiff toe
chronic toe or foot pain

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms and also have diabetes or any signs of infection.

Outlook and prevention

There are many surgical and nonsurgical treatments available for bunions. Contact your doctor if a bunion is making it difficult to walk or put your shoes on.

Wearing shoes that fit properly is an effective way to stop bunions from forming. A properly fitting shoe should have plenty of room around your toes and should conform to the shape of your foot.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bunion.(n.d)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002211/
Bunions.(2012, September)http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00155
Bunions(hallux abducto valgus). (n.d.)http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/bunions.htm
MayoClinic Staff. (2014, February 11). Bunionshttp://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/home/ovc-20262028

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Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on June 12, 2017

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