In medicine, a bunion is a bump or bulge on the first joint of the big toe.

A bunion is malformation of the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe. Bunions can be hereditary, brought on by biomechanical disfunction, or by ill-fitting footwear. Bunions can vary in their severity from minor swelling of the joint to major dislocation of the joint. If untreated Bunions can lead to other problems such as serious infections.

Surgery is the only effective intervention for bunions, although there are many types of non surgical intervention.

See Also

• Foot
• Podiatry

External Links

• Further information on bunions at About.com