Bunion
A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a deformity of the joint connecting the big toe to the foot. The big toe often bends towards the other toes and the joint becomes red and painful. The onset of bunions is typically gradual. Complications may include bursitis or arthritis.
| Bunion | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hallux abducto valgus, hallux valgus |
| Specialty | Orthopedics, Podiatry |
| Symptoms | Prominent, red, and painful joint at the base of the big toe |
| Complications | Bursitis, arthritis |
| Usual onset | Gradual |
| Causes | Unclear |
| Risk factors | Wearing overly tight shoes, high-heeled shoes, family history, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, X-rays |
| Differential diagnosis | Osteoarthritis, Freiberg's disease, hallux rigidus, Morton's neuroma |
| Treatment | Proper shoes, orthotics, NSAIDs, surgery |
| Frequency | ~23% of adults |
The exact cause is unclear. Proposed factors include wearing overly tight shoes, high-heeled shoes, family history, and rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and supported by X-rays. A similar condition of the little toe is referred to as a bunionette.
Treatment may include proper shoes, orthotics, or NSAIDs. If this is not effective for improving symptoms, surgery may be performed. It affects about 23% of adults. Females are affected more often than males. Usual age of onset is between 20 and 50 years old. The condition also becomes more common with age. It was first clearly described in 1870. Archaeologists have found a high incidence of bunions in skeletons from 14th- and 15th-century England, coinciding with a fashion for pointy shoes.