What Causes Bunions?

One of the most common foot problems people experience is bunions, which occur over time and appear as a bump on the side of the big toe. If left untreated, the bump can worsen to cause severe pain and discomfort.

In this blog, we'll discuss bunions, how they can be treated, what you can do to prevent them from worsening, and whether or not surgery is right for you.

What Are the Symptoms of Bunions?

Bunions are not an overnight problem. They take a long time to fully form, sometimes even years, making them difficult to spot and diagnose. 

There are some early warning signs that you may have a bunion to look out for:

  • Difficulty in moving your big toe

  • Pain, swelling or tenderness in your big toe or the side of your foot

  • Reddened skin that may feel warm to the touch surrounding your big toe

These symptoms do not guarantee that you have a bunion. Many different foot conditions can often mimic the symptoms of another; that's why it is essential to have a professional diagnosis from an HCPC-registered podiatrist if you have any foot issues. 

If you have had a bunion for a longer time and the symptoms have become more visible, you will notice:

  • A visible lump or bump on the side of your foot, most often just under your big toe

  • Your big toe has become angled, possible pushing on the toe next to it. This could lead to further problems such as hammertoes

  • You have a callus or corn forming on your foot or toes. A callus or corn is when the skin becomes hard as a result of unwanted friction. Bunions can push your toes into different shapes and cause this unwanted friction.

  • Pain in your foot leading to difficulty walking and being on your feet

Are bunions painful?

A bunion can present different amounts of pain for different people. This pain could be a constant feeling or a sporadic flare-up, usually dependent on your activities of the day.

More specifically, painful symptoms that people experience are:

  • A throbbing in your big toe or side of your foot

  • Pain that extends into the ball of your foot or further throughout the day or when on your feet

  • A shooting pain in your foot or toe could happen if the bunion is pressing against a nerve in your foot

  • Pain when wearing shoes if the bunion is putting excess pressure on one area of your foot

Bunion Treatment Options

When you visit us, we follow a careful evaluation process to determine how your bunion is affecting your foot and ankle health. Here's what we do:

  • Examine your feet, ankles and toes carefully.

  • Ask questions about your overall health history.

  • See if you have any pre-existing foot problems.

  • Review your treatment options.

Bunion treatment depends on how severe the condition is, but our podiatrists will work with you to develop a plan so that you can continue to do the activities you enjoy. Treatment could include orthotics to cushion your foot, compression bandaging to prevent swelling, and protection for your toe. We may also refer you to additional specialists, like a physical therapist or an orthopaedic surgeon, if necessary.

Here at The Foot Lab Glossop, we offer a variety of bunion treatment procedures to reduce discomfort and even correct the problem. Mild cases can often be treated with custom orthotics; other treatments include bunion pads and surgical correction.

What Causes Bunions?

Unfortunately, the cause of bunions isn't yet fully understood. There are, however, several factors that we know contribute to the problem. For example, incorrectly fitting shoes can cause a whole host of foot problems and worsen bunions. Wearing shoes that squeeze the toes together can cause a bunion to grow, and a big reason for that is the shape of your shoe itself. When you aren't wearing the right fit or type of shoe, you run into problems — which is why it's important to buy footwear that fits your feet well.

It is also thought that certain inherited foot shapes are more likely to form a bunion than others. 

Other causes of bunions are:

  • Medical conditions such as arthritis and gout

  • An imbalanced gait affecting the way you walk

  • A foot or leg injury placing extra stress on the front of the foot

How to Prevent Bunions

Treatment for a bunion is much more difficult than actively trying to prevent them, here are our top tips to help you stay bunion free. 

Regularly examine your feet

As mentioned previously, bunions can take time to develop. By monitoring your feet and being aware of any changes that may occur, you could catch the problem early and prevent it from getting any worse. 

Ensure you have shoes that are comfortable and fit well

As mentioned previously, shoes aren't the cause of bunions directly, but they definitely do not help the problem. When buying shoes, you should remember that shoes are never the same size and style, even if you buy from the same store. When choosing your new shoes, you should always measure your feet to ensure that they are the best fit; our feet change over time and may not be the same as last time. You should also ensure that there is ample room in the toe box as well as enough support for the arches of your feet and your ankle.

Ditch the high heels

High-heeled shoes put excess pressure on your feet, particularly your big toe joint. If you can give up your high heels even half of the time, your feet will thank you. A comfortable pair of supportive, flat shoes will provide much more comfort during the day and help prevent any problems before they arise. 

If you do wear your high heels or refuse to give them up, opt for a pair with a wedge or block at a height of no more than two inches. This will help to more evenly distribute your weight and take off some of the pressure on your toes. 

Rest your feet

People sometimes overlook how much we use our feet every day. They consistently support our weight and take us where we need to be. Remember to take a break and put your feet up now and again to relax and rest your feet, especially if you're on your feet all day. If possible, take off your shoes and let your feet breathe for a bit; even if you have the best shoes possible, your feet will still be thankful. 

Stretch and exercise

Just like every other part of your body, you can exercise and train your feet to become stronger and more flexible. This will naturally help your feet become less prone to issues by improving your overall foot health.

If you feel you may be suffering from a bunion or any form of foot related issue, don’t hesitate to contact a podiatrist.


*This blog contains general information about medical conditions. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.