Many Patients Have Misconceptions About Bunions: MD Podiatrist

Dan Michaels, DPM, a foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgeon, sees anywhere from 20 to 40 patients with bunions each month. A lot of these patients think they’re forming extra bone from getting more calcium, not realizing it is their bones moving out of place.

Another common misconception is that bunions are caused by wearing heels or shoes that are too tight. While tight shoes can exacerbate the problem and contribute to discomfort, most of the time — other than after a traumatic injury to the foot — it is caused by genetics. “It’s not causing the bunion, it’s causing the bunion to happen much sooner in life than it otherwise would have without tight or restrictive footwear,” Dr. Michaels said.