A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big-toe joint. The changes within the foot that cause the bump also cause the big toe to turn inward, toward the smaller toes, according to Mayo Clinic.
Bunions can result from congenital deformities, arthritis, trauma, heredity, or habitually wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe. Regardless of what caused them in the first place, bunions can be made worse by high heels and constrictive shoes, says Tulpule.
Treatment for bunions typically involves ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers, says Tulpule. Doctors may also recommend range-of-motion exercises, wider shoes, and padded shoe inserts. If those methods fail to relieve pain and allow for normal walking, she notes, surgery may be recommended to return the big toe to its normal
