Bunion vs Bone Spur: How to Tell the Difference and What to Do About It

Most of us don’t give our feet much thought, until they start to hurt. If you’ve noticed a bump on your foot or started experiencing discomfort around your big toe or heel, you might wonder, Is this a bunion or a bone spur?

We hear these questions every day at SFL Medical Group clinics across Miami. While bunions and bone spurs can both cause foot pain and visible changes, they’re fundamentally different conditions with different causes, treatments, and long term outcomes.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions, medically known as hallux valgus, are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe. Over time, the big toe deviates inward (toward the second toe), forcing the joint outward and creating a pronounced, often painful lump.

Bunions aren’t just cosmetic, they’re a progressive deformity. Left untreated, they can lead to discomfort while walking, joint stiffness, and secondary problems like hammertoes or bursitis.

Common causes include:

• Genetics (inherited foot structure)
• Repetitive pressure from narrow or high-heeled shoes
• Flat feet or overpronation
• Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis

What Is a Bone Spur?

A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony overgrowth that forms along the edges of bones, often at joints. Unlike bunions, bone spurs aren’t deformities. They’re the body’s way of responding to chronic wear, pressure, or inflammation.

Bone spurs in the foot commonly occur:

• Around the heel (heel spurs)
• On the top of the foot
• At the toe joints

They’re frequently linked to arthritis and long term joint degeneration. And while some bone spurs are painless and go unnoticed, others irritate nearby nerves or tissues, leading to sharp, localized pain especially when walking or wearing shoes.

Side by Side Comparison: Bunions vs Bone Spurs

Visually and structurally, bunions and bone spurs may seem similar at first glance. But here’s a comparison to help you differentiate quickly:

Location

Bunion: Typically at the base joint of the big toe

Bone Spur: Can occur on heel, top of the foot, or any foot joint

Cause

Bunion: Misalignment of the big toe joint (genetic + footwear)

Bone Spur: Extra bone growth from aging or joint stress (arthritis)

Pain Type

Bunion: Throbbing joint pain, worsens with tight shoes

Bone Spur: Sharp or stabbing pain when walking or pressure is applied

Appearance

Bunion: Red, inflamed bump with a visible angular shift in the toe

Bone Spur: Often no outward bump; sometimes noticeable via X-ray only

Treatment Focus

Bunion: Realigning the toe joint

Bone Spur: Removing or managing the excess bone and inflammation

Symptoms Breakdown: How to Tell Them Apart

Bunion Symptoms:

• Visible bump on the inner edge of the foot (by the big toe)
• Swelling, redness, and tenderness at the joint
• Pain when wearing narrow or pointed shoes
• Limited movement in the big toe
• Possible development of calluses or corns

Bone Spur Symptoms:

• Localized pain when standing or walking
• Tenderness near the spur site (commonly the heel or top of the foot)
• Inflammation or numbness if nerves are irritated
• Stiffness in the affected joint
• Often worsens with physical activity

Diagnosis: How We Confirm the Cause of Your Foot Pain

At our Miami podiatry and orthopedic clinics, our team uses a combination of medical history review, physical exam, and imaging tests to accurately diagnose foot pain.

You can expect:

• Visual and tactile assessment of the foot
• Gait analysis (how you walk)
• X-rays to assess bone structure and spur development
• Occasionally MRI or CT scan if soft tissue involvement is suspected

Our specialists look at both what’s visible and what’s going on beneath the surface before crafting a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment Options: From Conservative to Surgical

At SFL, we tailor treatments based on lifestyle, symptom severity, and how much the condition affects daily mobility. Here’s how we typically approach care for both conditions.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Bunions:

• Wearing wider, roomier footwear
• Bunion pads or cushions
• Orthotics (custom made shoe inserts)
• Splints or toe spacers to realign the joint
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy to maintain flexibility

Non-Surgical Treatments for Bone Spurs:

• Padding or heel cushions
• Stretching exercises to reduce tension
• Over the counter pain relievers
• Corticosteroid injections for inflammation
• Night splints or supportive braces

When Surgery Is Needed

If symptoms don’t improve with conservative care, surgical options are considered.

For bunions, the most common procedures include:

• Bunionectomy: Removal of the bony bump
• Osteotomy: Realigning the toe joint
• Arthrodesis: Fusing the joint to eliminate pain and movement

For bone spurs:

• Spur removal: Removing excess bone causing pressure
• Decompression: Relieve pressure on nerves or tendons
• Joint replacement: Advanced arthritis cases

At SFL Medical Group, our foot and ankle surgery team specializes in minimally invasive techniques to reduce downtime and post operation pain.

Prevention Tips: Keep Your Feet Healthier Longer

While genetics and aging can’t be prevented, smart daily habits can reduce your risk of bunions and bone spurs:

• Choose shoes with roomy toe boxes and good arch support
• Stretch and strengthen foot muscles regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on feet
• Rotate shoe types to vary pressure points
• Address minor foot pain early, before it shifts into a more serious issue

If you’re dealing with mystery foot pain, a visible bump, or worsening symptoms, trust us to guide you from discomfort to relief.

For personalized assessment and treatment, schedule an appointment with us.