A bunion is a bony deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. The medical name is hallux valgus.

The main sign of a bunion is the big toe pointing towards the other toes on the same foot, which may force the foot bone attached to it (the first metatarsal) to stick outwards.

Other symptoms may include:

  • a swollen, bony bump on the outside edge of your foot
  • pain and swelling over your big toe joint that's made worse by pressure from wearing shoes
  • hard, callused and red skin caused by your big toe and second toe overlapping
  • sore skin over the top of the bunion
  • changes to the shape of your foot, making it difficult to find shoes that fit

These symptoms can sometimes get worse if the bunion is left untreated, so it's best to see a GP. They'll ask you about your symptoms and examine your foot. In some cases, an X-ray may be recommended to assess the severity of your bunion.

Anyone can develop a bunion, but they're more common in women than men. This may be because of the style of footwear that women wear.

What causes bunions?

The exact cause of bunions is unknown, but they tend to run in families. Wearing badly fitting shoes is thought to make bunions worse.

It's also thought that bunions are more likely to occur in people with unusually flexible joints, which is why bunions sometimes occur in children.

In some cases, certain health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, may also be responsible.

Read more about the causes of bunions.

Treating bunions

There are a number of treatment options for bunions. Non-surgical treatments are usually tried first, including painkillers, orthotics (insoles) and bunion pads.

However, these can only help to reduce the symptoms of bunions, such as pain. They don't improve the appearance of your foot.

Surgery may be considered if your symptoms are severe and don't respond to non-surgical treatments. The type of surgery will depend on the level of deformity, the severity of your symptoms, your age, and any other associated medical conditions.

Read more about treating bunions


If bunions aren't treated, they can lead to further problems. For example, they can cause arthritis in your big toe and push your second toe out of place.

Problems can also develop after bunion surgery. While surgery is usually effective (symptoms are improved in 85% of cases), bunions can sometimes return.

In less than 10% of cases, complications occur after bunion surgery. These will depend on the type of surgery you have and can include:

  • stiffness in your toe joints
  • a delay or failure of the bone to heal, or the bone healing in the wrong position
  • pain under the ball of your foot
  • damage to the nerves in your foot
  • prolonged swelling and continued pain
  • the need for further surgery

Read more about the complications of bunions.

Preventing bunions



Page last reviewed: 05/11/2014

Next review due: 05/11/2017