Bunion Definition

Bunion Definition - Mayo Clinic

A definied the staff at the Mayo Clinic: "A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions form when your big toe pushes up against your other toes, forcing your big toe joint in the opposite direction, away from normal profile of your foot. Over time, the abnormal position enlarges your big toe joint, further crowding your other toes and causing pain."

Causes of Bunions

According to the Mayo Clinic Staff - "Bunions can occur for a number of reasons, but a common cause is wearing shoes that fit too tightly. Bunions can also develop as a result of an inherited structural defect or stress on your foot or a medical condition, such as arthritis.

Smaller bunions — bunionettes — can also develop on the joint of your little toes."

Bunion Definition - Stanford University

A bunion is a protrusion of bone or tissue around a joint. Bunions may occur at the base of the great toe or at the base of the little toe, and often occur when the joint is stressed over a period of time. Women are more frequently affected because they may wear tight, pointed, and confining shoes. Bunions can also be a result of arthritis, which often affects the big toe joint.
Treatment of bunions may vary depending on the pain and deformity. Treatment may include:

• Wearing comfortable, well-fitting footwear (particularly shoes that conform to the shape of the foot and do not cause pressure areas)
• Surgery (for pain, not for cosmetic purposes)
• Applying pads to the affected area
• Medications, such as ibuprofen