When you hear the word bunion, you probably picture a misshapen big toe with an inordinate bump. But what’s causing that huge bump? And what does it mean for us at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists when it’s time to treat it? While bunions are incredibly common, there’s a lot more to these bony enlargements than just the pain they cause. Let’s unpack some cold, hard facts about bunions and change how we think about footwear and prevention.
This is a big one! Forget everything you’ve heard: it’s a common misconception that wearing high heels or narrow shoes causes bunions. The truth is, genetics is the primary factor, and you inherit a specific foot type or joint structure that makes you more susceptible to bunions.
The role of poor-quality footwear is that it acts as the trigger. Tight, restrictive shoes, like high heels that push your weight onto your forefoot, force the unstable joint to shift out of alignment and turn genetics into reality.
Many people think a bunion is simply an overgrowth of bone that needs to be shaved off. In reality, a bunion is a complex joint deformity. The bump you see isn't just a growth; it's the head of the first metatarsal bone shifting outward, while the big toe itself angles inward towards the other toes. This misalignment is the structural problem we podiatrists address, not just the visible bump.
A bunion's influence doesn't stop at the big toe. As your big toe drifts inward, it starts to crowd the second toe and forces it to lift and overlap the big toe, which creates a condition known as a crossover toe.
This secondary problem is a consequence of the untreated bunion and can be extremely painful, which makes shoe-fitting even harder.
Sometimes, people can have a visible bunion deformity and experience absolutely no pain. If your bunion is asymptomatic, we podiatrists generally won't recommend surgery.
Treatment is almost always guided by the level of pain and functional limitation, not just the visible size of the bump. Finding the right fitting shoes that accommodate the bump is the main goal in these cases.
There’s also the Bunionette, which occurs on the pinky toe, as opposed to the bunion of the big toe. Think of it as the bunion’s little cousin, which can be an equal pain in the foot!
It’s typically smaller and less likely to cause major gait issues, but it can be intensely painful due to rubbing against the side of shoes.
For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, come see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.
