Bunions are one of those things that you never think about until it happens to you. And if this aching, painful foot-bone protrusion (which is also called hallux valgus)
does happen to you — and it is one of the most common foot disorders out there — you’ll be hard-pressed to get it off your mind. For starters, bunions can really hurt. And, if left untreated for too long, the only option to truly correct them is surgery.
Thankfully, if you catch and treat bunion development early, there are certain precautionary foot care measures that can help prevent them from getting out of hand. (Here’s a hint: Your choice of footwear is crucial.) To find out more, we consulted a slew of experts for the details on this super-common yet infrequently talked-about foot condition. Orthopedists Steven Weinfeld, Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and Elizabeth Cody, foot and ankle surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, plus podiatrists Hillary Brenner and Emily Splichal explain how a bunion is caused, treated, and if it can be prevented from ever forming in the first place.