Bunions
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Bunions: Condition overview
Get help for bunions before they get worse

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating bunions. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose your best treatment options.

Key points for people with bunions
  • Bunions are far more common in women than in men. About half of all women get them.
  • Usually, bunions are caused by problems with the shape of your foot and how you walk.
  • Wearing shoes that don't fit well makes bunions worse. But these bony bumps also happen in 1 in 50 people who have never worn shoes.
  • Bunions usually get worse if you don't treat them. Your toe can hurt a lot, make it hard to walk and limit which shoes you can wear. But these things don't happen to everyone.
  • Simple treatments such as shoe insoles may help your bunions hurt less. But an operation is the only way to make your toe straight again.
Your doctor may suggest surgery if your bunions are causing you a lot of problems. There are more than 100 types of operations for bunions. The type you have depends on things such as how bad your bunion is.

Our in-depth condition report and Treatment Ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for bunions is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.