Differential Diagnosis for Bunion
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Hallux valgus: This is the most common cause of a bunion, characterized by a deformity of the big toe where it points towards the second toe, often resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as poorly fitting shoes.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Hallux rigidus: This condition involves arthritis of the big toe joint, leading to stiffness and pain, which can sometimes be mistaken for a bunion due to the similar location of symptoms.
- Gout: Although primarily known for causing sudden, severe attacks of pain in the joints, gout can also lead to chronic pain and deformity in the big toe, mimicking a bunion.
- Sesamoiditis: Inflammation of the sesamoid bones under the first metatarsal bone can cause pain in the ball of the foot, near the big toe, potentially being confused with bunion symptoms.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Infection (osteomyelitis or septic arthritis): Although less common, infections in the foot can present with redness, swelling, and pain similar to a bunion, but require urgent medical attention to prevent serious complications.
- Charcot foot: A condition often associated with diabetes, characterized by a loss of sensation in the feet, which can lead to unnoticed injuries and deformities, including what might appear as a bunion.
- Tumor (benign or malignant): Rarely, a bunion-like appearance can be caused by a tumor in the foot, emphasizing the importance of a thorough diagnostic evaluation.
- Rare diagnoses
- Freiberg's disease: A rare condition causing collapse of the metatarsal bone, leading to pain and deformity.
- Kohler's disease: A rare bone disorder causing pain and swelling in the foot, typically in children.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Although not exclusively a foot condition, psoriatic arthritis can cause joint pain and swelling, including in the toes, potentially mimicking a bunion in its presentation.