Bunions
What are bunions?
Bunions are bumps that form on the side of your feet, usually on the joint at the base of the big toe. They can cause discomfort when walking or running, and make it tricky to find shoes that fit well. The cause of bunions is not always clear.
In most cases, good footwear is all that is needed to ease symptoms, but in some rare cases, a surgical procedure may be required to fix the problem.
Understanding bunions
What are the symptoms of a bunion?
Symptoms that indicate a bunion include:
• A pain at the base of your big toe, which may prevent you from walking as you usually do
• Changes to the shape of your foot, such as a swollen bump on the outer edge
• Calloused and red skin, which can be caused by your big toe and second toe overlapping
• The skin over the site of the bunion is sore
What causes bunions?
It's not always clear why bunions develop. Some people may be genetically more likely to have a weaker joint at the base of the big toe. It's also possible that a bunion may develop or get worse through wearing improperly fitting shoes, shoes with pointed toes or high heels. In other cases, it’s associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
A bunion usually forms at the base of the big toe, as a bump growing at a prominent sideways angle. The skin over this angled joint tends to rub on the inside of the shoe, creating inflammation. Wearing badly fitting shoes will make the bunion worse.
How are bunions treated?
There are ways you can ease pain from bunions at home yourself, such as wearing good footwear, however, generally, you should get footwear advice from a GP or podiatrist. They may advise you to:
• Wear shoes that fit you well (shoes with laces or straps that can be adjusted to the width of your foot) and avoid high-heeled, pointed or tight shoes
• Consider losing weight if you’re overweight, to reduce pressure on your feet
• Apply padding over the bunion to cushion it
• Use ice packs to help reduce pain and swelling
If the above treatments have not helped, then you may want to consult your GP again, who will be able to advise you on what other options are available and may refer you to a specialist.
In more severe cases, an operation may be necessary if wearing less restrictive footwear does not ease symptoms and the bunions are causing a lot of pain or negatively affecting your life. The operation aims to straighten the joint as much as possible and ease pain. Your GP will decide whether to recommend you for surgery, based on their assessment of the situation.
If a surgical option is recommended, your surgeon will be able to advise you on caring for your foot after the procedure.
Preventing bunions involves taking certain measures to reduce the risk of their development. Here are some tips:
1. Choose proper footwear: Wear shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your toes to move freely. Opt for shoes with a wide-toe box and low heels to minimize pressure on the toes.
2. Avoid high heels and tight shoes: High heels and narrow, pointy-toed shoes can increase the risk of bunions. Limit their use or choose more comfortable alternatives.
3. Wear shoe inserts or orthotics: Consider using shoe inserts or orthotic devices to provide support and cushioning to your feet, which can help prevent bunions.
4. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put additional pressure on your feet, increasing the likelihood of developing bunions. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce this risk.
5. Practise good foot hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent infections that can contribute to bunion formation.
6. Stretch and strengthen your feet: Perform regular foot exercises and stretches to improve the strength and flexibility of your feet, reducing the risk of bunions.
Healthy steps to happy feet
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to note that once a bunion has formed, it cannot be completely reversed or shrunk naturally. However, there are some measures you can take to alleviate symptoms and potentially slow down the progression of the bunion, see the ‘treatment’ and ‘prevention’ sections above.
To avoid making a bunion any worse, it can help to:
- Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with a pointy toe
- Ensure your shoes have enough room so they do not rub on the bunion
- Wear padding or bunion cushions in your shoes
- Hold an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the bunion for short periods
Bunions are most common in adult women, who tend to notice their development in their 20s and 30s. However, bunion development can start earlier than this, with some noticing them in their teenage years.
Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of bunions yourself or push them in. If you have a bunion, it is likely it will continue to grow over time, although there are measures you can take to potentially slow down the progression, see the ‘treatment’ and ‘prevention’ sections above. There are also at-home methods that can be used for effective pain relief, such as hot and cold therapy or paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Bunions gradually develop over time. Some factors may make them grow faster, such as wearing tight shoes or gaining weight, so the right care is important to try and slow down progression and to ease pain as much as possible. Take a look at the ‘treatment’ and ‘prevention’ sections of the page to see what you can do to ease discomfort and slow the progression of bunions.
A bunionette, also known as a tailor's bunion, is a bony bump that forms on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe. It is similar to a bunion, which forms on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe.
A bunionette is characterized by the protrusion of the bone and the deviation of the little toe towards the other toes. It can cause pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty wearing certain types of shoes. Like bunions, bunionettes can be caused by factors such as genetics, improper footwear, foot structure abnormalities, and certain medical conditions.
Treatment options for bunionettes may include wearing wider shoes, using padding or orthotic devices, taking pain relievers, applying ice, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.
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