Chances are, the bump you’re referring to is arthritis of the big toe joint. Many people will call this a bunion, which it is not. A bunion is a bump on the side of your great toe joint that is the result of a dislocation of the joint. The bump that can occur on top of the big toe joint is the result of arthritis from cartilage erosion in the joint. As the cartilage erodes, bone will rub against bone in the joint causing more bone to form in response to the stress. Fragments can also start to occur which can cause grinding to occur.

Wha causes this?

It’s typically a genetic predisposition that you are born with and it worsens over time.

Treatment

Treatment early in is to reduce the motion to the toe which causes the condition to worsen. This is difficult. Sometimes rigid inserts help but most patients see little relief. Cortisone injections can buy time before the inevitable surgical intervention occurs. Surgery can involve cleaning out the joint, replacing the joint, or fusing it.

Questions? Ask them in the comments section below or search my YouTube channel for more information and surgical videos!