SNP Shot: Genomic Insights

A bunion, medically termed hallux valgus, is a bony prominence that forms on the side of the foot where the big toe connects. These bumps arise gradually due to pressure on the big toe joint, causing it to deviate inwards, towards the adjacent toe. Since this joint bears considerable weight when standing and walking, bunions can result in foot pain, rigidity, inflammation, and redness. Hardened skin (calluses) might appear where the big and second toes press against each other, or on the sole of the foot. Without treatment, bunions tend to worsen progressively, potentially making it challenging to wear conventional footwear or walk comfortably. Bunions can affect either one or both feet.

Bunions typically manifest during adulthood. Infrequently, children are born with bunions (congenital hallux valgus) or develop them later in childhood (juvenile or adolescent hallux valgus).

Inheritance:

Bunions are a multifaceted condition, and their inheritance is not straightforward. Many individuals with bunions have a family history of the condition. The likelihood of developing bunions is elevated in first-degree relatives (e.g., siblings or children) of affected individuals compared to the general population. If bunions are a symptom of a genetic syndrome, they will be inherited according to the syndrome's inheritance pattern.