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A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. The medical name for a bunion is hallux valgus. This condition happens when your big toe starts to push against the toe next to it. This causes the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out.
read more about bunion hallux valgus ...The exact cause is not always clear, but there are several factors. Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow can push the toes together and make a bunion form or get worse. Bunions also tend to run in families, which means you may have a foot shape that makes you more likely to get them. Some conditions, like arthritis, can also play a role.
The most obvious symptom is the bump on the side of your foot. You may also have pain, redness, and swelling around the big toe joint. The skin over the bunion can become sore. It can also be hard to find shoes that fit, and you may develop corns or calluses where your toes rub together.
A doctor can usually diagnose a bunion just by looking at your foot. They will check the joint for pain and see how it moves. To understand how bad the bunion is, your doctor will often order an X-ray. The X-ray shows the alignment of your toe bones and can help the doctor decide on the best treatment.
Treatment is focused on relieving the pain. For mild bunions, this starts with wearing wide, comfortable shoes that have plenty of room for your toes. Your doctor may also suggest using pads to cushion the bunion or special shoe inserts. For severe pain that does not get better, a doctor may recommend surgery to put the toe back in its proper place.
A bunion is not just a skin bump; it is a change in the bone structure of the foot. The long bone in the middle of the foot, called the metatarsal, shifts outward, while the big toe bone angles inward toward the other toes. This creates a V-shape at the joint. As this angle gets sharper, the bunion bump becomes more prominent and the tendons usually pull the toe even further out of alignment.
Bunions are a progressive condition, which means they usually do get worse over time. However, wearing the right shoes can help slow them down and manage the pain.
You may not be able to prevent them if they run in your family. However, you can help prevent them from getting worse by choosing your shoes carefully. Avoid shoes that are narrow or have high heels.
Splints and correctors that you wear at night can sometimes help with pain, but they cannot fix the bunion or change your bone structure. The only way to correct the bunion is with surgery.
You should see a doctor or a foot specialist (a podiatrist) if you have a bunion that is causing you pain. It is also important to see a doctor if the bump is making it hard for you to find shoes that fit, or if the pain is stopping you from doing your normal daily activities.
1. Bunions. American Podiatric Medical Association. https://www.apma.org/patients-and-the-public/conditions-affecting-the-foot-and-ankle/bunions/. Accessed April 1, 2026.
2. Bunions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/bunions/. Accessed April 1, 2026.
3. Bunion Surgery. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/bunion-surgery/. Accessed April 1, 2026.
4. Hallux Valgus. J Kuhn, A Alvi, and J Schneider. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553092/. July 24, 2023.
5. Bunions: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/symptoms-causes/syc-20354708. February 20, 2024.