A bunion (bun-nyun) is an unsightly bump of bone on the side of the big toe joint. Bunions can be caused by the bones in your foot changing in alignment or shape as they age, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Bunions can also be caused by arthritis or heredity. Bunions can cause problems wearing shoes because they put pressure on the bone, which then puts pressure on the nerves under the bone and causes pain. They can also lead to corns and calluses (kall-uss-es). Bunions can also cause a gradual widening of your foot. Wearing wide shoes and protective pads can ease the pressure, but surgery is often required to correct bunion formation. The surgical procedure used varies with your age and the amount of deformity. A portion of bone may be removed, the bone may be fractured and repositioned, or an arthritic joint may be replaced with a plastic joint or it may be resurfaced. For more information about bunions, talk to a your health care provider.
