Bunions are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. A bunion is more than that. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. The throws the bones out of alignment producing the bunion’s “bump”. Bunions are often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Because bunions are progressive, they don’t go away, and will usually get worse over time.