Bunions are bony protrusions that stick out from the side of your foot. They form at the base of your big toe when the bones shift out of alignment. When a bunion develops, your big toe will start to point toward your other toes instead of pointing forward, and the end of the bone will stick out. This creates a large, hard lump on your foot. Sometimes, a smaller bunion forms at the base of the pinky toe. This is known as a tailor's bunion or a bunionette, but it's not usually as painful or serious as a bunion that forms on your big toe.Because you put so much pressure on your feet whenever you stand up or walk, bunions can become very painful and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, they won't go away on their own. You can minimize the discomfort with some lifestyle changes, but the bunion will probably keep growing. If it starts to interfere with your daily life, your doctor may recommend a surgery to fix the misaligned bones. The surgery, known as a bunionectomy, removes the protruding part of the bone and realigns the joint. Bunions are sometimes mistaken for other foot deformities, so knowing the signs and symptoms of the condition can help you identify it and properly treat it. Here are seven signs of bunions:
