What it is
A bunion is not simply a bump. It is a progressive deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in which the metatarsal drifts away from the foot and the big toe angles toward the second toe. The visible prominence is bone, not swelling.
Researchers indicate more than a third of adults have some degree of bunion deformity, and it is not just an older person's problem. Heredity and foot mechanics drive most cases; narrow shoes accelerate them.
Symptoms we look for
- A bony bump at the base of the big toe
- Redness, swelling or a fluid-filled sac over the joint
- Big toe angling toward the second toe
- Pain in shoes, particularly anything narrow
How we treat it
- Shoe modification and wide toe-box guidance
- Custom orthotics to slow progression
- Padding and splinting for symptom relief
- Anti-inflammatory injection for acute flares
- Surgical correction — osteotomy or lapiplasty-style realignment
When to see a podiatrist
See a surgeon when the bunion hurts in normal shoes, when the second toe is starting to be pushed out of position, or when the deformity is visibly progressing year over year. Correcting a moderate bunion is a smaller operation than correcting a severe one.
Common questions
Will a splint or toe spacer fix my bunion?
No. Non-surgical treatment relieves symptoms and can slow progression, but nothing outside of surgery realigns the bone.
How long am I off my feet after bunion surgery?
It depends on the procedure. Many modern corrections allow protected weight-bearing in a boot within days to two weeks, with a return to regular shoes around six to eight weeks.
Do bunions come back?
Recurrence rates are low with a correctly chosen procedure. Choosing the right operation for your specific deformity is the single biggest factor.