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Millions of people suffer from bunions, but experts caution that many wait until surgery is the only solution. What starts as a minor bump near the big toe can become very painful if not addressed.
Over time, the joint may become deformed, causing pain during walking and increasing the chances of developing arthritis. It’s estimated that around 14 million individuals in the UK have bunions, with up to one in three people over the age of 65 being affected.
Women are twice as likely to experience bunions. Although shoes like high heels can worsen the condition, genetics is believed to be the main factor, with research indicating that up to 90% of cases are inherited.
The painful condition is believed to have troubled stars including Victoria Beckham, Amal Clooney and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Bunions form when repeated pressure is placed on the big toe, forcing the joint to shift and creating the tell-tale lump. As this happens, the big toe angles sharply inwards while the bony bump juts outwards.
Bunions are believed to have troubled stars including Victoria Beckham, Amal Clooney and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Symptoms range from redness where shoes rub against the joint, swelling and thickened skin, to restricted movement in the big toe and searing pain that makes even short walks a struggle.
Surgery is often seen as the only solution but it is difficult to access on the NHS and can cost thousands of pounds privately.
Experts stress, however, that spotting the early signs and seeking treatment can in many cases prevent the need for an operation. ‘Severe bunions that leave people unable to walk and requiring surgery do not happen overnight,’ says Martin Harvey, a consultant podiatrist at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham.
‘They can develop in a patient’s 30s before they even take note in their 60s. At the start, they will just be a small deviation of the big toe and people may not be suffering pain but if you spot them early, you can ease pain and prevent serious damage.’
He explains that there are a number of simple changes that can help prevent serious bunions.
He says: ‘Shoes are a trigger for bunions and the ones people tend to wear are terrible. You want to wear trainers as much as possible, avoid narrow or flat shoes and consider buying rocker sole shoes which help alignment.
‘Making this change is not going to stop you getting bunions, unless you started aged ten, but it will certainly help alleviate the pain.’
Women are twice as likely to be affected by bunions – and while footwear such as high heels may make the problem worse, genetics is thought to play the biggest role
Experts also recommend insoles. Mr Harvey says: ‘A pair from a pharmacist will do the trick but a customised pair from a podiatrist for £100 will offer most support.’
While over-the-counter insoles can help, he warns to avoid correctors or splints – plastic or fabric devices that strap on to the foot in an attempt to hold the big toe straight – often sold online.
One free way forward is doing simple exercises for a few minutes daily. These include toe curls – using your toes to grip and scrunch up a towel, strengthening muscles under the foot and supporting the arch. Another is picking up marbles with your toes, which can improve strength and flexibility and ease bunion symptoms.
Podiatric surgeon Mr Kaser Nazir, from Jorja Healthcare, says: ‘Essentially what aggravates a bunion, is too much instability and rotation in the foot. So by doing these exercises at the early stage of a bunion forming, you are able to slow the speed of progression.
‘However, once the big toe has started to deviate and is pointing towards the second, it is too late and the exercises will not work.’
Though mild cases of bunions can often be managed by a podiatrist, severe cases may require surgery.The operation is sometimes available on the NHS if the bunion has a severe impact on daily life – but in most cases patients must pay thousands of pounds to go private. The most common procedure is an osteotomy, where the bone is realigned.
Experts caution against ‘quick fix’ operations such as bump shaving, which rarely works long-term.
Earlier intervention can sometimes mean a smaller operation with faster recovery.
Mr Nazir adds: ‘You cannot remove a bunion with non-surgical interventions, so if a patient is suffering from persistent pain, a loss of function, like not being able to walk, then we recommend surgery. Each patient’s bunion is different so it is important they see a specialist.’
