A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a deformity of the MTP joint connecting the big toe to the foot.

[1] Archaeologists have identified a high incidence of bunions in skeletons from 14th- and 15th-century England, coinciding with a fashion for pointy shoes.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons states that footwear only worsens a problem caused by genetics.

[7][9] The bump itself is partly due to the swollen bursal sac or an osseous (bony) anomaly on the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Atop of the first metatarsal head either medially or dorso-medially, there can also arise a bursa that when inflamed (bursitis), can be the most painful aspect of the process.

[11] The IM angle can also grade the severity of hallux valgus as:[12] Conservative treatment for bunions include changes in footwear, the use of orthotics (accommodative padding and shielding), rest, ice, and pain medications such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The age, health, lifestyle and activity level of the patient may also play a role in the choice of procedure.

A person who has undergone bunion surgery can expect a 6- to 8-week recovery period during which crutches are usually required to aid mobility.

An orthopedic cast is much less common today as newer, more stable procedures and better forms of fixation (stabilizing the bone with screws and other hardware) are used.

Hardware may even include absorbable pins that perform their function and are then broken down by the body over the course of months.