What are bunions?
Your big toe has an important job: When you take a step, it’s the last part of your foot that pushes off the ground to propel you forward. If the way you walk puts more stress on the big toe than it’s prepared to take on, a bunion can form.
A bunion is a common foot deformity that happens when the big toe starts to lean toward the other toes and a bump forms at the joint where the toe meets the foot. Estimates suggest that about one-third of people over the age of 65 have a bunion, though younger people get them, too.
Bunions aren’t always painful, but when they are, they can cause a deep ache or a sharp, severe pain that’s usually worse when you put weight on it or press on it, says Houman Danesh, MD, director of integrative pain management for The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Bunions typically form slowly, as repetitive pressure on the foot changes the shape of the bone over the course of years. While anyone can get a bunion, some people are more prone to the condition.
(These are common foot problems and podiatrists’
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