Bunions, or (hallux valgus), according to Wikipedia, are a deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the great toe. The term is used to refer to the pathological bump on the side of the great toe joint. The bump is partly due to the swollen bursal sac and/or an osseous (bony) anomaly on the mesophalangeal joint (where the first metatarsal bone and hallux meet). The larger part of the bump is a normal part of the head of first metatarsal bone that has tilted sideways to stick out at its top.

The term "hallux valgus" or "hallux abducto-valgus" are the most commonly used medical terms associated with a bunion anomaly, where "hallux" refers to the great toe, "valgus" refers to the abnormal angulation of the great toe commonly associated with bunion anomalies, and "abductus/-o" refers to the abnormal drifting or inward leaning of the great toe towards the second toe, which is also commonly associated with bunions. It is important to state that "hallux abducto" refers to the motion the great toe moves away from the body's midline. Deformities of the lower extremity are usually named in accordance to the body's midline, or the line bisecting the body longitudinally into two halves.

The Symptoms of Bunions according to Medicine Net, are:

• Mal-positioning of the big toe and base joint
• Increasing pain when walking, running or standing
• Formation of calluses on the medial border of the big toe
• Chronic irritation of the skin and base joint bursa
• Progressive arthrosis (degenerative disease of the joint)
  and/or arthritis and stiffening in the base joint of the toe
• Podiatric deformities such as hammer toe and claw toe

Millions of people suffer from these symptoms everyday

The Degrees of Bunion Severity, according to Medicine Net can vary from 1st Degree, where the sufferer can effectively use common bunion splints for treatment; to 4th Degree, where the bunion is so severe that they require surgery to correct the problem.

1st Degree	2nd Degree	3rd Degree	4th Degree

According to MDGuidelines.com, bunions are two to four times more common in women than they are in men. In both genders, the bony deformity is more likely to develop with age.

Men who begin to notice a bony bump on the inner edge of their big toe may want to consider bunion splints or orthotics, which may help correct the condition before it advances and requires bunion surgery.