Why Bunions Are More Prevalent—and What You Can Do About It

Bunions—the “bumps” that can form on the joints at the base of your big toes—are reported to their doctors by a whopping 18 million American women and 4 million men every year, as found in a recent National Foot Health Assessment. Because this joint carries a significant percentage of the body’s weight, it can cause intense pain if a bunion is left untreated. When severe, bunions can make it difficult to walk in shoes and cause their sufferer swelling, redness, and restricted movement. This health problem can arise from numerous causes, including genetics, footwear, biomechanics, and arthritis. In addition to surgery, medical technology and non-surgical therapies can help prevent and correct misalignments and reduce recovery times.

An Impressive Rise in the Demand for Bunion Surgery

New research undertaken by Markets and Markets has found that the global bunion surgery market, valued at $458.4 million in 2024, is forecast to grow at a robust CAGR of 5.7%, causing its worth to expand to an impressive $606-21 million by 2029. The reasons include an increased demand for bunion surgery, which, to this day, is the only known means of eliminating this painful protrusion at the outer side of the big toe (Dias et al. 2024). One of the biggest factors behind the rising demand is the aging population, which is increasing worldwide. A second factor is innovations in surgery, which allow for minimally invasive procedures, small incisions, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. Yet another driver of the big demand for treatment is the increasing number of people with rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause joint deformities. 

Medical Technology for Bunions

Medtech options for bunions include digital radiography, 3D scanning, and intraoperative fluoroscopy, which allow physicians to obtain detailed views of the foot anatomy so that corrections can be carried out with minimal tissue trauma. During surgery, physicians can also rely on robotic aids and algorithms to guide them during procedures and reduce the likelihood of human error (Stauffer et al. 2023). These systems provide real-time feedback and precisely calculate bone alignment and positioning. Currently, robotic systems are already being used for procedures such as the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ or Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™. Moreover, VoomTM Medical Devices offer non-compression bone screw systems for minimally invasive bunion surgery, which help preserve range of motion and improve quality of life. This system is comprised of a dual-zone, single-screw solution that optimizes fixation while reducing soft tissue injury.

Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives?

Non-surgical approaches will not eliminate a bunion. However, for less severe cases or those that do not cause pain or swelling, a wide range of options can help manage symptoms. One of these is custom orthotics, which can be slipped into shoes to provide cushioning and support for the arch, heel, and ball of the foot, enabling their wearers to walk with greater ease. Individuals may also find relief from wearing wider footwear, utilizing padding, or wearing night splints and toe separators. In some cases, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and ice therapy can decrease pain and improve foot function. 

The Work of Physical Therapists

Physical therapists typically treat bunion symptoms via pain management, exercise, gait training, and education regarding symptom management (Hurn et al. 2021). Treatment can include manual therapy to help improve the position of the big toe, improve the joint’s range of motion, and reduce joint tightness. The therapist may also teach their client strength, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises to improve the alignment of the big toe when standing and improve the client’s waking pattern. They also hone in on balance through standing and walking exercises that work on balance during movement.

When It’s Time to Consider Surgery

If you have tried soothing symptoms on your own and the bunion progresses to the point where you cannot find comfortable-enough shoes or walking becomes challenging, see a physician and discuss the possibility of surgery if you wish. Minimally invasive bunion surgery (also known as keyhole surgery) allows patients to bear weight and walk within days of a procedure (Li et al. 2024). This is in stark contrast to traditional bunion surgery, which requires patients to stay off their feet for several weeks and which typically involves more pain and swelling, owing to larger incisions and tissue disruption. Traditional surgery also left visible scars, unlike the case with keyhole surgery. Minimally invasive surgery can also result in a reduced need for pain medication. Your foot orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon will need to physically examine your foot to assess whether you are a good candidate for surgery. During recovery, you may be told to wear a special surgical shoe, which allows you to bear your weight almost immediately once full feeling in your foot is restored. Typically, you will only need to limit your activity level and keep your foot elevated between 50% and 80% of the time to facilitate recovery.

Recent research shows that the demand for bunion surgery is on the rise. This is owing to factors such as the growing population of older adults and big advances in minimally invasive surgery. Bunions, which can cause significant pain and discomfort, can be eliminated through keyhole surgery, allowing patients to walk in normal sneakers within six to eight weeks.

References

1. Dias, Celso Gp, Alexandre L Godoy-Santos, Jill Ferrari, Mario Ferretti, and Mário Lenza. 2024. “Surgical Interventions for Treating Hallux Valgus and Bunions.” Cochrane Library 2024 (7). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd013726.pub2 
2.   Hurn, Sheree E., Barry G. Matthews, Shannon E. Munteanu, and Hylton B. Menz. 2021. “Effectiveness of Nonsurgical Interventions for Hallux Valgus: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.” Arthritis Care & Research 74 (10): 1676–88. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24603 
3.  Li, Guangyi, Hui Zhang, Xu Wang, Yunfeng Yang, Hailin Xu, Jinsong Hong, Siu-Wah Kong, et al. 2024. “Clinical Guideline on the Third Generation Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hallux Valgus.” Journal of Orthopaedic Translation 45 (March): 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jot.2023.10.009 
4.  Stauffer, Taylor P., Billy I. Kim, Caitlin Grant, Samuel B. Adams, and Albert T. Anastasio. 2023. “Robotic Technology in Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Comprehensive Review.” Sensors 23 (2): 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23020686