Bunions are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe. They occur when bones in the front of your foot move out of place, causing the big toe to point toward the other toes rather than forward. Bunions can cause significant pain and limit a person’s ability to take long walks. Beyond wearing shoes with a wider toe box, treatments may include oral anti-inflammatory and pain medications, steroid injections, and orthotic devices. In severe cases, removing swollen tissue or part of the bone and realigning the toe joint can offer patients pain relief and greater mobility. Surgery for cosmetic reasons is often considered, but the primary goal becomes allowing greater periods of mobility without discomfort or pain.