What is a bunion?

Bunions, or hallux valgus, are a common problem affecting the foot. The term refers to a painful bump on the inside of your foot at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Bunion deformity is also associated with pain under the front of your foot (sometimes called metatarsalgia) and can ultimately result in problems with the lesser toes (toe pain, toe deformity, claw toe, hammer toe or mallet toe)
Bunion pain can be very disruptive and also affects the type of shoes you are able to wear.

Will my bunion get worse over time?

Essentially yes. However, whilst bunion deformities do increase over time, you should not take decisions on how your bunion might be in the future.
Most bunions stay relatively stable time and you should take a decision on surgery based only on how your foot feels now.

What about bunion treatment without surgery?

Simple strategies like wearing larger shoes, gentle physiotherapy, bunion pads and bunion splints can often be helpful.

You should try these measures to help your bunion pain before considering surgery.

If your symptoms persist then you may consider bunion surgery. 

My bunion has come back, can it be done again?

Mr Dawe is a specialist in revising bunion surgery and dealing with the complications of foot surgery. If your bunion still hurts after a surgery or if your bunion has come back, you should book a consultation to consider if things can be improved for you.