Bunions are a bony knot at the base of the big toe accompanied by hallux valgus, a drift of the big toe toward the small toes. The bony knot is formed when cramped footwear and weak foot muscles cause a chronic dislocation of the big toe. Over time, bunions can cause dysfunction in the arch of the foot and contribute to pain and other foot conditions, or eventually require surgical intervention. Caught early, normal mechanics and strength can be restored to the big toe to limit further drift and progression of the condition.