What the FUCK is wrong with my foot? *picture attached*

[StripeySocks1234]

Sorry for cursing! It’s been a long day, made worse by an aching foot/toe.

I have a lump at the side of my foot, it’s solid and feels boner. I presumed it was a bunion because that’s what it looks and feels like. I went to the GP who agreed and sent me for an Xray but also wanted to rule out gout. When I went for the results, she said the blood test for gout came back absolutely fine, and from the x rays it’s not a bunion. She didn’t say what it was and didn’t offer any help or advice, and I was only 16 so I was relieved it was nothing and was just desperate to get out of the surgery. She just said take paracetamol or ibuprofen when I need to. She basically finished the consultation at that point and said there’s nothing else she can do for me I just have to manage it myself.

That was several years ago, and since then it’s definitely got bigger and more painful. If I took painkillers every time it hurt, I would probably be overdosing! It’s painful everyday but goes through periods where it’s unbearable. It’s like an intense ache up the side of my foot and down my toe. I’ve tried special socks, toe guards, separators, gels, pads, everything possible.

I should have spoken up and said I’m confused, but she clearly wanted me out asap and I was 16 so I was like oh ok cool and was fine with the lack of explaination about what it actually is, but now I’m so confused! What can look like a bunion, but isn’t actually a bunion?!

[Soundofshuna]

That’s a bunion

[Luredbyapomegranate]

It’s a bunion, go see a different GP and get. Referral

[Stickmansmum]

Bunion. Very common. I didn’t even read your post. Knew it would be a pic of a bunion. Sorry if I’m wrong.

[Bubblebubblebah]

It doesn't matter what happened several years ago. How have you not gone to different doctor ehen you are in pain.

You will need surgery, but don't stress too much about that. Just get it checked out and planned. Family member had it recently and is ok

[Quincythequince]

That’s a bunion.

[LuciferRising]

Bunion. I had one cut off as a teenager. In my 40s now and it has grown back.

[Discovereads]

Bunion. It’s been caused by the shoes you’re wearing. The lump is bone, it’s the bottom of your big toe joint being pushed outwards because your big toe has been pushed so far in, it’s now under the neighbouring toe.

[FruitPastilleNut]

What can look like a bunion, but isn’t actually a bunion?!

Nothing! That's a bunion op.

[PermanentTemporary]

Certainly looks like a bunion to me. Go back to the doctor and talk about the pain levels.

[Quincythequince]

And get better footwear too.
What, throughout your life have you habitually worn?

Proper fitting shoes are so very important.

[LuciferRising]

@Discovereads

Bunion. It’s been caused by the shoes you’re wearing. The lump is bone, it’s the bottom of your big toe joint being pushed outwards because your big toe has been pushed so far in, it’s now under the neighbouring toe.

Also genetic.

[boydoggies]

Are you wearing good supportive footwear? It will help settle a grumpy bunion. Take some paracetamol for the ache if you are able to do so.

[ManateeFair]

Yeah, bunion. And you were a child when you last saw a doctor about it, so just go back and see a different one! Or see a podiatrist perhaps.

[LetstalkaboutBruno]

it looks like a Hallux Valgus aka a Bunion to me. Marked with the bony prominence and the windswept big toe which is overlapped by your second toe. I am not a foot specialist though!

I would suggest visiting a podiatrist for an examination and assessment as they may be able to help. If all of the above that you’ve mentioned trying and if a podiatrist can’t help, then it would be back to the GP for an onward referral.

[PickAChew]

That is most definitely a bunion.

You need shoes with a good square toe box, though I know from experience that that is easier said than done because us women must have a dainty toe shape. Apparently

[Toomuchstuffwillkillme]

Without the photo, could have been bursitis? (I've had this on my big toe joint, Google it)
After seeing photo - I'm with everyone else. Sorry OP.

[uncomfortablydumb53]

Yes, it's definitely a bunion

[wherearebeefandonioncrisps]

Yep... a bunion.

[Discovereads]

Sadly, most girls/womens shoes are literally designed to cause bunions. Narrow or pointed toes by themselves in girls shoes will do it, but then when you add any heel at all to the shoe, it distributes more body weight onto the toes compressing them even further into said pointed/narrow shoe toes- accelerating bunion development.

Its shocking how such a blind eye is turned towards how the design of girls/womens shoes are terrible for foot health.

[Discovereads]

@LuciferRising

Also genetic.

Sort of, E.g. hyper-mobility is associated with pre-disposition for bunions and hyper-mobility is genetic. But there’s no bunion gene per se.

[StripeySocks1234]

Oh no! I was hoping someone would come along and say it’s something very simple and easy to fix! But thank you for the help and advice. Not sure what the x ray showed but she was very definite that it’s not a bunion which is why I was confused.

i know it’s hard to tell from a photo, but is it bad enough to qualify for help? I knew someone else who had a bunion and got it fixed but said they would only do it under the nhs when it was really bad.

and last question, is there any other way to fix it apart from treatment? I’ve tried the supportive footwear, insoles, separators and everything else and it’s still sore, but obviously I would prefer to fix it in a simple way if I can as I don’t want to be out of sports for too long.

I think I’ve just got so used to taking painkillers for it when it hurts, it’s just become expected and I’ve got used to it. I actually notice the difference when it doesn’t hurt because I’m so used to it being sore all the time!

[Bubblebubblebah]

Well the best course of action is to go to doctor especially since you've been on painkillers for god knows how long, rather than use advice from randomers on internet ehich could make it worse

[80sMum]

"If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck"

[BeenHereForYonkyDoodles]

Ahhh yes that is a bunion I'm afraid.
How is your other foot?

[LuciferRising]

@Discovereads

Sort of, E.g. hyper-mobility is associated with pre-disposition for bunions and hyper-mobility is genetic. But there’s no bunion gene per se.

I was told mine were heredity. Cut off at 14. Shoes back then no different to peers. No high heels. But, daughter is hypemobile!