How do bunions form

This displacement of the bone causes pressure and enlargement of the metatarsal, forming the characteristic outer bump of a bunion at the joint. Bunions form slowly over time. They can develop different symptoms, shapes, and sizes. They can be painless and treatable, or they may become excruciatingly painful and progress to severe levels, requiring surgery. When the big toe pushes up against the next toe, the metatarsal bone is pushed outward awkwardly. The base of the big toe can enlarge and protrude as a result of the altered motion.

The metatarsophalangeal joint supports the bulk of body weight while walking or standing, and it, therefore, experiences immense wear and tear over a lifespan. This stress and pressure can cause the big toe to move abnormally and misalign at its base. This pressure eventually forms a bunion. As the bunion progresses, the big toe angles toward the second toe, which creates irritation and inflammation in both toes.

A bunion progressively develops and can become more severe over time. The first metatarsal will keep shifting outward, causing symptoms to increase in severity. The joint becomes unstable, the ligaments are unable to hold the first metatarsal in place, and it drifts outward and away from the second metatarsal. The bunion bump then rubs against the ground and the insides of shoes, stimulating the bone continuously.

The bone responds by growing extra spurs and exacerbating the protrusion. That is one reason why women get bunions more often than men because their shoes tend to be tighter and narrower, thereby forcing the toes against each other. Mild cases of bunions may not show any visual or physical symptoms. In intermediate and severe cases, along with the bony prominence is also an angular deformity where the first metatarsal shifts and increases the normal angle.

Progression differs with different people, but bunions usually develop equally on both feet. Over time, the bone becomes bruised and inflamed, forming painful cysts. Severe bunions may cause premature arthritis and deep pain in the affected joints. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Stress on the feet — Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions. Doctors often perform two tests — blood tests and x-rays — when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Mesa and Globe, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs. If you need a more accessible version of this website, click this button on the right. Switch to Accessible Site. A healthcare provider can also use physical examination and X-rays to diagnose the presence of bunions.

An X-ray will indicate the severity of the bunion and help direct the next stage of treatment. Lifestyle adaptations to relieve bunions include :. Surgery may be suitable for people who:.

Following surgery, a full recovery can take up to 6 months. Regular visits to the doctor may be necessary. Surgery will aim to relieve pain, realign the metatarsophalangeal MTP joint, and correct any deformities that are causing the problem. This surgery involves shortening any weak joint tissues and lengthening the toe.

Tendons and ligament repair often takes place alongside an osteotomy. This is a corrective procedure to realign the joint. Doctors use pins, screws, or plates to fix the bone. The surgeon then inserts screws, wires, or plates to hold the joint together during healing. This procedure usually helps people with severe bunions, arthritis, or those who have had unsuccessful bunion surgery.

The surgeon removes the bump on the toe joint. They will often perform this surgery in combination with an osteotomy. This is a procedure to remove the damaged portion of the toe joint, providing more space between the toe bones. Surgeons reserve this procedure for:. Wearing well-fitting shoes with a wide toe box can help prevent the development of bunions. Avoid shoes with pointy toes and high heels. People should also avoid wearing shoes that cause cramping, squeezing, pressing, or irritation of the toes and feet.

The outlook of a bunion depends on the individual. Some people have problems that continue to worsen over time, while others with the underlying deformity have no symptoms. If often occurs in both feet. Metatarsalgia is when tiny nerves between the toes become trapped and cause pain when someone pressed down on their foot.

It can be aggravated by too….