Dr. Tetyana Boreesenko of Forest Hills Queens discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for bunions including a cosmetically pleasing invasive surgical approach. br br br br Bunions and hammertoes are the most common foot deformities. They are often painful, unsightly, and significantly limit the choice of shoes a patient can wear. A bunion is an enlarged bone on the side of the big toe that is angled outward. A hammertoe is a painful contracted toe with limited mobility, often with a corn present on the joint and causing discomfort. Bunions and hammertoes are progressive disorders, which means they will get worse if left untreated. A surgical correction is often recommended to alleviate pain and restore normal mobility of the foot.