Patient education: Bunion (The Basics)

What is a bunion? — A bunion is a bony bump on the joint at the base of the big toe (figure 1). It happens when the big toe points toward the other toes, causing the joint near the big toe to change in shape.

What are the symptoms of a bunion? — The symptoms include:

●A bony bump on the joint at the base of the big toe

●Pain around the big toe joint, especially when wearing shoes and walking

Is there a test for a bunion? — Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have a bunion by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. If your symptoms are severe or you might need surgery, your doctor or nurse might order an X-ray to see if the joint in your toe is damaged.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. You might feel better if you:

●Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of room – Low-heeled shoes with a wide toe box (the part around your toes) are a good choice. You can also get shoes that are specially designed to have extra space around the big toe.

●Use a shoe insert – These are also called "orthotics." You can find them in stores or online. Orthotics that keep your big toe straight can help your joints move better. These work best when combined with appropriate footwear.

●Do stretching exercises – This helps your toe and foot joints move better.

●Take a pain reliever, if needed – Medicines such as acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) can help with pain.

How is a bunion treated? — If the treatments you tried on your own don't help, you doctor might refer you to a foot doctor, called a "podiatrist." A podiatrist can fit you with:

●Custom orthotics – If store-bought orthotics do not help enough, a podiatrist can fit you with "custom" orthotics. This means shoe inserts that are made specially for your foot shape.

●A foot splint – You can wear a splint to help to straighten your toe at night while you sleep (picture 1). It might help with pain. It might also help slow worsening of the bunion, although there is no way to prevent this completely.

If you have severe pain or trouble walking, your doctor can refer you to a foot surgeon. There are many different types of surgery that can help to realign the toe. But it's important to remember that even surgery cannot fully correct the bony bump of a bunion. The goal of all treatment, including surgery, is to improve pain and function.

Can a bunion be prevented? — No. But if you have a bunion, you might be able to prevent it from getting worse by avoiding shoes that squeeze or put pressure on your toes.

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