Bunions

A bunion is painful bone formation that most often occurs at the base of the big toe. It usually occurs when tight shoes force the toes into an unnatural shape, but may also be hereditary or a side effect of a joint condition like arthritis. Bunions may develop on one or both sides of the foot and on one or both feet. The characteristic sign of a bunion is a bump at the base of the affected joint. Other symptoms may include corns or calluses where the affected toe rubs against adjacent toes, redness around the joint where the bump rubs on shoes and pain in the feet and toes. Bunions may not always require treatment, but are a progressive condition, so it is important to seek a podiatrist’s recommendation. Hammertoe commonly occurs in conjunction with a bunion, when the second toe shifts to accommodate the big toe.