Bunions are common -- albeit painful -- foot deformities in women. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition is a result of a deformity of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, located at the base of the big toe. This deformity develops when the first metatarsal bone on the foot turns outward, and the big toe, as a result, turns inward, towards the other toes. The result is a bony protrusion, which, because of pressure put on the resulting bump, can result in the inflammation of a bursa, or fluid-filled sac that envelops and cushions our joints. This can cause stiffness in pain at the base of the affected toe.

While many experts agree that people are born with a foot type that makes them more susceptible to bunions, these deformities most likely develop or become aggravated when feet are forced into narrow or pointed-toe shoes. This causes the big toe to push against the other toes, causing the base of the toe to jut out away from the foot. People who have low arches, flat feet, and loose joints and tendons are at increased risk for developing bunions. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, high heels can particularly aggravate bunions because they force the body’s weight to be unevenly distributed on the foot, pushing weight forward into the toes, and forcing toes into the front of the shoe. This may help explain why bunions are 10 times more common in women than in men.

Why Does My Bunion Need Medical Treatment?

The MTP joint that becomes deformed with a bunion helps us bear and distribute weight during a range of activities, meaning that a bunion can seriously impair the foot’s functioning: it can damage other toes, causing corns or leading to the formation of hammertoes. Bunions can cause ingrown toenails or lead to calluses on the bottoms of the feet, and you may develop pain in the balls of your feet from improperly shifting weight away from the affected joint. As the condition progresses, exercise and physical activities may become difficult, and even walking can become painful.