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Some things increase your chances of getting bunions. Doctors call these things risk factors. Having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll get a bunion for sure. It just means you're more likely to get one than someone who doesn't have the risk factor.

Here are some things that make it more likely that you will get a bunion or that your bunion will get worse.

• Your foot rolls to the inside when you walk. Doctors call this pronation. This puts most of your weight on the inside of your foot when you're walking. It puts too much pressure on your main foot bone. This makes your toe joint less stable, so your bones start to move.¹
• You have a long big toe. Your big toe may be a lot longer than your other toes. Bunions seem to be more common in people with long big toes.
• The main bone in your foot has a rounded end. The end of this bone joins the end of your big toe bone. The ends should fit together snugly. But if the end of the main bone is rounded, instead of flat, your big toe bone can slip around it and move out of place.
• Your parents have bunions. You don't get bunions from your parents. But you may get their foot type. Some types of feet are more likely to get bunions. For example, if you have flat feet, your arches are low, or your joints or tendons are loose, it's more likely.^{2 3}
• You are older. Bunions are more common in older people. This is probably because of the extra years of using the joint.
• Your shoes are too tight. Wearing shoes that are too narrow or pointed may make your bunions worse.¹
• You wear high heels. High heels force your toes into the front of your shoes and crowd them.⁴
• Your job keeps you on your feet. Jobs like this put more stress on your feet. Some examples are working as a waiter, factory worker, dancer or athlete.⁵
• You're a woman. The bones of men's feet and women's feet differ a bit.⁶ In women's feet, the bones can move more, and the big toe joint gets out of line more easily.⁶ Women are also more likely to wear tight shoes with high heels that make bunions worse.
• You have arthritis. With arthritis, the tough tissue that covers and protects your big toe joint is weak. Doctors call this tissue cartilage. Also, the ends of the bones in your joint can get bumpy instead of smooth. These things can let your bones slip out of place. Arthritis can cause bunions and make them worse.³
• You injured your foot. Injuries can damage the bones, muscles or tendons in your toe joint. If your joint is less stable after an injury, your big toe may start to move out of line. Other foot injuries can affect the way you walk and put more pressure on your big toe joint. Sports injuries are common causes of bunions.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.