Can Men Get Bunions?

Posted June 17, 2026 in Bunion Pain

A man in green sweats sitting on a bed holding his foot in pain

While bunions are often associated with female patients, due to high heels and other constricting footwear being a primary cause of the condition, it is entirely possible for men to develop bunions as well. This blog will delve into common causes of bunions and the procedures available to treat them.

Common Ways to Get Bunions

A bunion is a bony protrusion at the base of the big toe that is caused by a misalignment of the first metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) joint. As the condition progresses, the bunions become more swollen and tender, and increasingly angle the big toe toward the second toe, affecting gait and physical comfort.

Bunions are incredibly common, and they can affect anyone. Many cases of bunions are not caused by a single factor, but a combination of more than one. The good news is that there are both surgical and non-surgical options for treating bunions, and the sooner you address them, the greater your chances of success.

Here are some common causes of bunions:

Genetics

Some people are born with certain foot shapes/structures that predispose them to developing bunions. The way you naturally place pressure on certain parts of your foot as you walk could also be an example of genetics affecting your likelihood of developing bunions.

Footwear

This is why we might see more women than men with bunions: poor-fitting footwear. Certain shoe styles, such as high heels that place pressure on the toes and narrow-fitting styles that pinch the toes together, exacerbate the issue. Of course, anyone, regardless of gender, can be susceptible to choosing style over comfort!

Lifestyle

While less common, standing for long periods at work may increase your risk of bunions. Over time, this puts pressure on the feet and can cause the misalignment associated with bunions.

What Do Bunions Look Like?

Bunions look like a bump or protrusion on the outside of the big toe. So, if you’re looking down at your feet, there would be one on either side of your feet, resulting in your bunions touching if you put your feet together. The protrusion might appear red or swollen and may be tender to the touch. Sometimes they’re hard to notice at all.

Bony protrusions on the side of your little toes, or on the opposite side, are called Tailor’s bunions.

Can You Treat Bunions Without Surgery?

In some cases, yes! If you’re noticing a sharp pain in your big toe after long periods of standing or walking, or after wearing shoes that are a little tight, you might be developing a bunion. Bunions are assessed by podiatrists using a specific severity scale, so once they reach a certain stage of development, surgery is likely the only option.

However, if your case is caught early enough, you have conservative treatment options for bunions, or at least to prevent them from progressing.

Stop wearing constricting or painful footwear. Listen to your feet; if your favorite pair of boots hurts after a few hours, toss them. You should have enough room in the toe box (the top of the shoe where your toes are) to wiggle them around. Ensure all your shoes are the correct size and fit. Check out our page on fitting shoes!

Cushions to reduce pain and friction can help tremendously. These can minimize friction to surrounding toes, reducing other foot issues such as corns or calluses. Using cushions can also reduce pain and discomfort, helping prevent you from favoring the affected foot as you walk, thereby altering your natural step and gait.

Custom orthotics is perhaps the best conservative option for slowing the progression of bunions and delaying surgery. These are medical devices that are molded to each foot in your podiatrist’s office. These molds of your feet are then used to create unique insoles that you place in your shoes to provide custom support.

The best way to address your bunions and diagnose their severity is to schedule a consultation with an experienced podiatrist. Call Chelsea Foot and Ankle today at (646) 929-4149 or complete the contact form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ethan Ciment for a professional assessment of your bunions. Don’t wait—early intervention is key to avoiding surgery!

Types of Bunion Surgery

No one wants surgery, but in most severe or progressed bunion cases, a bunionectomy is the best and only solution. Only surgery can fully correct misaligned joints, loosen tight tendons, and shave down bone to allow all toes, ligaments, and muscles to return to a healthy position.

But there are many types of bunion surgery, and dozens of techniques within them. Some common procedures are described below.

Bunionectomy

This procedure primarily involves removing the bony protrusion on the side of your big toe joint. It’s commonly combined with an osteotomy to properly realign the toe and ligaments.

Osteotomy

This procedure involves making small cuts in the bone to reposition the toe for proper alignment. This is often done by correcting the soft tissue (tendons and ligaments that have become tightened or stretched, depending on the issue).

Resection Arthroplasty

This option is typically performed on older patients with arthritis or recurring bunion formation and involves removing the damaged joint and reshaping the bones.

Arthrodesis

During an arthrodesis procedure, the bones of the big toe joint are realigned into proper position and set in place with metal pins and screws, allowing the bones to fuse together. This is often reserved for the most severe cases of bunions, in which mobility is significantly reduced.

Ready to Fix Your Bunions in NYC?

Call the experts at Chelsea Foot and Ankle to halt the progression of your bunions or discuss your surgical options. Call Chelsea Foot and Ankle at (646) 929-4149 or complete the contact form to schedule a consultation.