by Dr. Tom Lembo -Podiatrist & Creator of Samurai Insoles
As a practicing podiatrist, I’ve seen thousands of patients walk into my exam room with the same concern:
“Is this bunion going to get worse?”
What they’re really asking is:
Will it hurt more?
Will I need surgery?
And is there anything I can do to stop it?
The answer? Yes - but it starts by understanding what’s really causing the problem.
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, caused by gradual misalignment of the joint where the toe meets the foot.
This is known as the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
The outward bump is just the tip of the iceberg. What’s really going on is a structural problem deep in the foot.
There isn’t one single answer.
Bunions are caused by a combination of genetic, mechanical, and environmental factors.
Some people ask me, "Are bunions hereditary?" - and yes, in many cases, they are.
If one or both of your parents had bunions, your foot shape and mechanics may put you at higher risk.
Others ask, "How do bunions form?" or "How do you get bunions?" The answer is often excessive pronation.
One of the most common causes of bunions I see in my private practice is overpronation - when the arch collapses and the foot rolls inward too much during walking or standing.
When that happens:
The forefoot widens
The first ray (the bone behind your big toe) becomes unstable
The bunion begins to form - often starting as subtle shifting, then progressing into a more pronounced deformity
Whether it’s a bunion on the big toe or a more advanced deformity, the mechanism is often the same.
Another hidden factor I often find is first ray hypermobility. It means the long bone behind the big toe joint is too mobile - too loose.
This leads to:
Even more instability
A worsening bunion over time
An increase in both visible deformity and pain
Patients often refer to this pain as “bunion symptoms,” but what they’re really feeling is inflammation from poor joint alignment and overload with every step.
Even what looks like a small or mild bunion can cause outsized discomfort. That’s because the joint is under constant, abnormal pressure due to misalignment.
Bunion pain usually starts as occasional soreness. But over time, it progresses into:
Chronic joint pain
Swelling and redness
Limited mobility
Difficulty finding shoes that fit
And it all keeps getting worse if the mechanical cause isn’t addressed.
One of the biggest myths I hear is that you can “fix” a bunion with a toe spacer or soft cushion.
You can’t.
And while surgery is effective for severe cases, it’s not the first line of treatment for most patients.
The first and most effective way to reduce bunion discomfort - and possibly slow progression?
Support the foot’s arch.
Consistent arch support:
Reduces excessive pronation
Offloads pressure from the big toe joint
Increases stability in the first ray
Helps the foot move the way it’s supposed to
Supports the foot without adding bulk or complexity
By comfortably supporting the medial arch, Ninjas can reduce the discomfort associated with mild to moderate bunion deformities.
Free U.S. shipping + returns
or
Ships fast with Amazon Prime
After years of recommending custom orthotics to help my patients control pronation and relieve bunion pain, I wanted to create something more accessible - something that actually worked, but didn’t cost hundreds of dollars or require special shoes.
That’s why I created Samurai Insoles Ninjas:
✅ Built-in orthotic-grade arch support
✅ Slim profile fits in most shoes
✅ No break-in period
✅ Designed specifically to combat overpronation
✅ Used by thousands of people with bunion pain
They’ve become my go-to first step for patients with early to moderate bunions who want a conservative option that actually helps.
Whether you’re dealing with:
A bunion on your big toe
Mild to moderate bunion symptoms
Collapsing arches or overpronation
Or a sense that your bunion is getting worse…
…supporting your feet can help.
👉 Try Samurai Insoles Ninjas - the same insole I recommend to my patients to reduce pain, improve foot mechanics, and support the joint before things get worse.
They’re comfortable, affordable, and designed by a podiatrist who’s seen it all.
Free U.S. shipping + returns
or
Ships fast with Amazon Prime
“Bunion discomfort is one of the most common things I treat. That dull aching pain or feeling of joint grinding is a textbook sign. When patients get consistent arch support underfoot — not just soft padding — it generally improves outcomes. Sometimes dramatically.”
Best,
Dr. Tom Lembo
We, Samurai Wellness, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking toAmazon.com and affiliated sites. Samurai Insoles are branded products made by our company, Samurai Wellness, LLC, and we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! This article is a promotion of the Samurai Insoles branded products that we sell. It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.