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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Bunions form when the normal balance of forces exerted on the joints and tendons of your feet are disrupted. This can lead to instability in the big toe joint — also known as the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint — causing a deformity. Bunions develop over time due to abnormal motion and pressure on your big toe joint. Bunions can also occur on the joint of your little toe (bunionette).
Causes of bunions include:
- High-heeled or ill-fitting shoes
- Inherited foot type
- Foot injuries
- Deformities present at birth (congenital)
Bunions may be associated with various forms of arthritis, including inflammatory or degenerative forms, causing the protective cartilage that covers your big toe joint to deteriorate. An occupation that puts extra stress on your feet or one that causes you to wear pointed shoes also can be a cause. For example, dancers and cowboys are more prone to developing bunions.
- Bunions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00155. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
- Bunions. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/bunions.htm. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
- Patient education: Bunion. MD Consult. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/patient/body/109354214-4/768571667/10061/7856.html. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008.
- Wexler D, et al. Bunion and bunionette. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109354214-4/768571670/1678/79.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50078-X--cesec3_1251. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008.
- Bunions. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9388. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
