BUNION

A bunion is a bump on the side of the big toe. The visible bump reflects changes in the bone framework of the front part of the foot. The big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the bump.

Causes

One of the main reasons for developing bunions is wearing tight, high-heeled, or too-narrow shoes. They can also develop when the pressures of bearing and shifting the weight fall unevenly on the joints and tendons in the feet. Bunions may also be associated with certain types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory types, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to bunions.