{"id":8462,"date":"2021-08-18T07:15:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T14:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=8462"},"modified":"2025-10-14T12:25:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T19:25:42","slug":"what-causes-bunions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/what-causes-bunions\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Bunions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Written by: Dr. Jackie Sutera<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bunion <\/span>symptoms<\/span> can be immensely painful. And when they don’t hurt, they may lead to <\/span>another foot problem<\/span>, like blisters, corns, calluses, <\/span>infected <\/span>ingrown toenails,<\/span>\u00a0 and hammertoes<\/span>. What’s more, the foot deformity can make most shoes feel overly tight and uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what causes bunions in the first place? The footwear pros at Vionic are here to break it down for you <\/span>and provide insight to available <\/span>orthotics<\/span><\/a><\/span> to alleviate some of the common symptoms<\/span>. Let’s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are Bunions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A<\/span> bunion<\/span><\/a><\/span> (hallux valgus) <\/span>is a bony bump <\/span>that <\/span>develops<\/span> on the base of the big toes.\u00b9 They happen when upper foot bones move out of place, which causes the top of the big toe to pull toward the smaller ones. In turn, the joint at the base of the toe protrudes out in the opposite direction.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBunions can be hereditary and tend to run in families, but some shoes, injuries, and activities over time can encourage and expedite formation\u201d, says Dr. Jackie Sutera, Vionic Innovation Lab member and podiatrist. <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>bony <\/span>protrusion is typically obvious, as the bulge juts out and is often inflamed. Discomforts associated with bunions range from redness and mild soreness to swelling, persistent tenderness, and severe foot pain. Some people also have a difficult time moving their toes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are Bunionettes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A bunionette <\/span>or Taylor\u2019s bunion<\/span>\u00a0 is essentially a smaller form of a bunion. It develops at the base of the baby toe and is thought to often be a result of sitting cross-legged for hours on end in tight-fitting shoes. But don’t let the cute name fool you\u2014bunionettes can be extremely painful.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBunionettes cause the forefoot, in essence, to become wider and should be accommodated with proper fitting shoes.\u00a0 Symptoms like swelling, pain, redness, and inflammation can also present, just like bunions that form at the great toe joint\u201d, says Dr. Sutera. <\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are Adolescent Bunions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While bunions are most often seen in adults, children and teens can get them too. <\/span>Adolescent bunions<\/span><\/a><\/span> usually affect girls between 10 to 15 years old, though boys can develop them as well.\u00b2 Occurring on one or both feet, the condition can be painful or relatively painless. And unlike adult bunions, children and teens are typically still able to move their big <\/span>toe joint<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The medical community isn’t sure what’s behind adolescent bunions or why girls are more likely to have them than boys. However, some believe it’s related to growing feet and changes in footwear during their pre-teen and early teenage years. If your child has bunions, we recommend talking to a podiatrist about ways to prevent the <\/span>foot <\/span>deformity from progressing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Causes Bunions to Form?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What causes bunions on feet? The exact cause of the foot deformity is unknown, but most experts agree on a few potential factors. This includes foot stress, genetics, foot deformities, and certain medical conditions. Here’s what you should know.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

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Foot Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sore feet causes <\/span><\/a><\/span>foot stress <\/span>and <\/span>can be a result of overuse, ill-fitting shoes, or both. For instance, if you’re on your feet all day at work and aren’t wearing proper footwear, the persistent pressure on the structure of your foot can affect its shape over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, athletes sometimes develop deformities from overuse, though they’re more likely to wear specialized shoes. While <\/span>bunion formation develops <\/span>slowly, often over the course of years, suffering <\/span>a foot <\/span>injury might contribute to the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether it’s a broken bone or an ankle sprain, people tend to put extra weight on other body parts to keep pressure off the <\/span>foot <\/span>injury. This overcompensation may lead to foot-related issues, like a bunion <\/span>development<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Genetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bunions are very rarely something people are born with, though some may be predisposed to developing the deformity later in life. If a close relative has bunions or another foot structure condition that ended up causing a <\/span>bony<\/span> protrusion, you could <\/span>inherit a foot type<\/span><\/a><\/span> with a higher chance of getting them.\u00b3<\/span><\/p>\n

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Foot Deformities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some foot deformities are congenital, meaning they’re present at birth. A person can be born with pronated feet, club feet, and flat feet (though you can also develop fallen arches later on). These deformities might make someone more inclined to get a bunion in adolescence or adulthood. <\/span>Wondering what is pronation<\/span>?<\/a> Our experts at Vionic are here to guide you through common foot concerns including what the difference is between overpronation vs underpronation<\/a><\/span> and how to correct overpronation<\/a><\/span>. You\u2019ve got questions and we\u2019ve got answers!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Medical Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, can affect joints throughout the entire body, including the feet. These disorders are sometimes associated with the development of bunions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Do I Have Bunions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It’s hard to say exactly why an individual has bunions. It could be a result of foot stress, injury, genetics, another foot deformity, a medical condition, or a combination of factors. Some think tight-fitting footwear is a culprit, while others believe it may only exacerbate an existing issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you consider the very structure of a bunion\u2014how the big toe pivots toward the others from the top and juts out at the bottom\u2014it makes sense that certain shoes could be a potential cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from tight-fitting shoes, pointed styles and pumps with narrow toe boxes tend to squeeze and overcrowd the toes. Wearing shoes like this once in a while might not be enough to create a deformity. But day after day, year after year, cramming your toes into a specific shape could have a lasting effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Know If You Have Bunions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As we mentioned, the protruding bumps are typically obvious. \u201c<\/span>I recommend a visit to your podiatrist for X Rays, which will confirm if you have a bunion. This will\u00a0 also allow your doctor to evaluate the severity and recommend a proper individualized treatment plan.\u201d, advises Dr. Sutera<\/span> . However, there are a few other signs indicating a person has bunions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of bunions include:<\/b><\/p>\n