Sales Portal Surgeon Portal 888-586-8035 888-586-8035
Find A Doctor Am I A Candidate?

What Causes A Bunion?

Constrained footwear or standing for long periods may aggravate or accelerate your condition, however, these are not the cause of your bunion.

There is a common misconception that bunions are caused by shoes; they aren’t. They are just aggravated by them.

So you have a bunion. Don’t be embarrassed. Did you know that around a quarter of the population has them? So, you are definitely not alone. While constrained footwear or standing for long periods may aggravate or accelerate your condition, your bunion is more likely caused by:

Genetic Predisposition

Bunions tend to run in families because they are most commonly caused by hereditary defects in the foot, resulting in a weak mechanical structure. So, whereas you might have inherited your mother’s good sense of humor and beautiful smile, you might also (eek!) inherit her bunions.

Biomechanical Imbalance

Bunions are often caused by imbalances of the foot’s anatomical structure. Any changes in weight or structure can cause your foot bones to adjust and move to constantly work to keep our bodies balanced. Life experiences such as childbearing or having our feet expand as we age can act as a bunion catalyst. Whenever the bones of our foot get out of alignment, trouble can start.

What About High Heels?

It’s a myth that wearing high heels or pointy shoes that crowd toes actually cause bunions. However if you were born with any tendency toward mechanical imbalances, these types of shoes push the foot’s bones into unnatural shapes, aggravating the condition and causing symptoms to appear earlier in life.

Certain occupations may aggravate the condition

Source: WebMD website and American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Website

The Prevalence of Bunions

Source: Nix S, et al. J Foot Ankle Res. 2010. 27:3:21.

of people aged 18 to 65 have bunions.

of people older than 65 have bunions.

Your Questions, Answered

Do High Heels Cause Bunions?

Hear from Dr. Robert Santrock.

Take the Short Quiz & Get Your Bunion Assessment

Answer 4 simple questions to see if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ may be right for you. We’ll send your results directly to your inbox.

Start Quiz
1 of 4

Select the image below that best describes your bunion.

Please supply an answer
In many cases patients who have bunions also have other conditions such as bunionettes, hammertoes, or arthritis – which are often addressed in the same surgery as your bunion correction. However, only a surgeon can assess your particular condition and develop an individual treatment plan.
2 of 4

Please select the level of foot pain you experience most of the time.

Please supply an answer
3 of 4

Which of the following most accurately describes where you're at in your bunion treatment process?

(Select all that apply)

Please supply an answer
4 of 4

You're almost there!

Please provide your email address and zip code below so we can send your personalized bunion assessment results right to your inbox. If you are a candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ surgery, we'll also help you find trained & experienced Lapiplasty® doctors in your area.

*The “Am I a Candidate” assessment should only be completed by patients over the age of 18 or by a parent/legal guardian. This tool does not provide medical advice. This tool is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a trained Lapiplasty® doctor can determine if you are an appropriate candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ surgery. Please consult with your doctor to determine if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ surgery is right for your specific condition. Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ surgery is indicated for patients 12 years of age and older. As with any medical treatment, there are risks and recovery takes time. For a complete list of risks, see the Patient Risk Information. For more info on recovery times, see Recovery. For information about how we handle your information, please see our Privacy Policy. By submitting your information and clicking I agree, you consent to receive information about the Lapiplasty® procedure by email, text, phone, or via online advertising and to our use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy. We will handle your information and communicate with you as stated in our Privacy Policy. See the Privacy Policy for instructions for opting out of receiving automated text messages and phone calls containing marketing materials regarding the Lapiplasty® Procedure.

Quiz Complete!

You may be a candidate for the Lapiplasty® Procedure.

Thank you for completing the quiz. Based on your answers, it looks like the Lapiplasty® Procedure may help provide relief for your bunion pain. Take the next step and find a local surgeon today.

Find a Lapiplasty® Doctor

Use our convenient Find-A-Doctor tool to find a local doctor near you.

Bunion Pain Can Worsen Without Treatment1

Take the next step toward relief today.

The Lapiplasty® procedure may help alleviate your bunion pain before it gets worse. Contact a Lapiplasty® Patient Educator directly or schedule a call time that is convenient for you.

See What Patients Are Saying

Quiz Complete!

Unfortunately, you are not a candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™.

Based on your responses, you are not a candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™. Lapiplasty® is indicated for treatment of bunions (also known as Hallux Valgus) - a bump found at the base of the big toe. If you do not suffer from a bunion, then Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction" is not for you. We wish you good health!

Still think you might be experiencing pain from a bunion?

Here are 5 symptoms to look out for that could make Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ a good option for you:

  1. You're seeing a visual "bump" at the base of your big toe.
  2. Shoes that once fit comfortably now feel too tight or painful to wear.
  3. You experience frequent numbness or tightness in your big toe.
  4. Pain or swelling increases when you stand for long periods of time.
  5. You struggle or are unable to bend your big toe without feeling pain or a burning sensation.

Here are some helpful resources to help you learn more about bunions and your treatment options:

If you feel you answered any questions inaccurately, take the quiz again!

Restart Quiz

Find a Doctor Near You

Search 1,000s of trained & experienced Lapiplasty® surgeons

Considering the Lapiplasty® Procedure?

Complete The Form Or Give Us A Call

888-586-8035

The Lapiplasty® Patient Call Center is for patient questions related to our product and procedure only.
As a medical device manufacturer, Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. cannot provide any opinions or other medical advice to patients. For medical advice please contact your doctor.

Find a Doctor Near You: