Bunion (patient information)

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Overview
A bunion is when your big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump on the inside edge of your toe. The condition may become painful as extra bone and a fluid-filled sac grow at the base of the big toe.

What are the symptoms of Bunion?
Symptoms of bunions include:
 * Red, callouse skin along the inside edge of the big toe
 * A bony bump along the inside edge of the big toe
 * Pain over the joint, aggravated by pressure from shoes
 * Big toe turned toward the other toes.

What causes Bunion?
The causes of bunions are unclear. Bunions sometimes run in families. Being born with abnormal foot bones may increase likelihood of developing a bunion. Wearing narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes may lead to the development of a bunion.

Who is at highest risk?
Bunions occur more commonly in women and can sometimes run in families. People born with abnormal bones in their feet are more likely to form a bunion.

When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your doctor if the bunion:
 * Has any signs of infection (like redness or swelling), especially if you have diabetes
 * Pain continues even after self care, such as wearing wide-toed shoes
 * Bunion prevents you from doing your usual activities

Diagnosis
A doctor can usually diagnose a bunion by looking at it. A foot x-ray can show an abnormal angle between the big toe and the foot and, in some cases, arthritis.

Treatment options
When a bunion first begins to develop, take good care of your feet and wear wide-toed shoes. This can often solve the problem and prevent the need for any further treatment. It may help to wear felt or foam pads on the foot to protect the bunion, or devices called spacers to separate the first and second toes at night. These are available at drugstores. You can also try cutting a hole in a pair of old, comfortable shoes to wear around the house.

If the bunion gets worse -- resulting in severe deformity or pain -- surgery to realign the toe and remove the bony bump (bunionectomy) can be effective. There are over 100 different surgical techniques that have been described to treat this condition.

Where to find medical care for Bunion?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Bunion

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outlook depends on your age and activities, and the severity of the bunion. Teenagers may have more trouble treating a bunion than adults. Many adults do well by caring for the bunion when it first starts to develop, and wearing different shoes. Surgery reduces the pain in many, but not all, people with bunions.

Possible complications

 * Chronic foot pain
 * Foot deformity
 * Stiff foot
 * Hallux varus (occurs with surgical over-correction, where the toe points away from the second toe)