Bunions

Bunion is being diagnosed.
Bunion is being diagnosed.

A bunion is a bony growth on the side of the base of your big toe. Both pressure from your shoes and motion in the big toe joint can cause pain. Bunions can often progress gradually until running and sometimes even walking are extremely painful.

Causes

Normal foot (left) vs. bunion.
Normal foot (left) vs. bunion.

A bunion is a condition that can be due to heredity, a genetic defect or a biomechanical problem (over-pronation). Tight-fitting shoes do not cause bunions, but they can exaggerate either of these pre-existing conditions.

Treatment

Wear a pad over the bunion to reduce friction on the inside of your shoes. If you think over-pronation is the cause, try a custom orthotic, which will reduce the excessive pronation and minimize the future growth of the bunion. Severely painful bunions often require surgical correction.

Prevention

Assuming the bunion isn’t inherited, the most important measure that you can take is to make sure that your shoes fit properly and provide adequate support for your feet. If over-pronation is a problem, look to purchase ‘motion-control’ shoes.

Activity Restrictions

None, unless the bunions have become too painful.