What is a Bunion?
A bunion occurs when the big toe angles towards the second toe. This makes a painful prominence along the inside of the foot, known as a bunion.
The prominence can rub on the inside of the shoe making walking and exercise very difficult.
In severe cases, the bunion can affect the lesser toes as well, causing further pain and deformity.
What Causes Bunions?
Bunions can be caused by:
Bunions occur most commonly in women who wear fashionable shoes with a narrow toe box and high heels. These types of shoes force the toes into a narrow wedge shape. Over time this can result in the big toe moving laterally.
Not all women who wear heels get bunions, and men can suffer from bunions as well. There may also be a hereditary component to the development of bunions. Patients with “inherited” bunions often have abnormally shaped bones or joints that put them at risk.
NEXT: Symptoms & Diagnostic Process ›