A bunion is hard to ignore. This bony prominence at the base of the big toe mars the otherwise straight line of the inner foot. Bunions occur when the first metatarsal shifts outwards towards the opposite foot, and the big toe moves inwards towards the second toe. The joint connecting the first metatarsal to the big toe bone becomes misaligned and forms a bulging bump: a bunion.

Once a bunion starts to form, the small fluid-filled pads (bursae) around the big toe joint can become inflamed, causing swelling, redness and severe pain. The medical name for a bunion is Hallux Valgus.