Skip to content
EvidenceHelixEvidenceLib · Scientific Encyclopedia
⌘ K

Scientific library

EvidenceLib encyclopediaAll articles A–Z2,835Open textbooks209Open-access articles1,406Cancer study catalog458How it is made

My workspace this browser

Saved pages0Notes & annotations0

Recently viewed

Explore by field

Cancer and Oncology182Genetics and Genomics170Neuroscience185Cardiovascular Medicine180Immunology142Pharmacology173Molecular Biology161Infectious Diseases150Rare and Inherited Diseases181Clinical Research173Anatomy and Physiology613Drugs and Chemicals621Psychiatry and Psychology185Public Health and Nutrition178Diagnostics and Medical Technology125Respiratory Medicine113Digestive System and Liver91Metabolism and Endocrine Disease177Bones, Joints, Muscles and Skin213Kidney, Urology and Women's Health173Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat55
Plans & pricingCompare EvidenceHelix workspace plans
Library›EvidenceLib›Bones, Joints, Muscles and Skin›Bunion

Continue where you left off ()

Explore more with EvidenceHelix Workspace

Compare studies, analyze evidence and create research reports with premium tools.

Explore Researcher plans

Research reading room

Bunion

Bones, Joints, Muscles and Skin · NLM MeSH · updated 2026-11-04 · version 1

Citations verified against PubMedNot yet clinician-reviewed10 referencesApproximately 5 min read

Abnormal swelling of the inner aspect of the first metatarsal head affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Table of Contents

1. Definition2. Research landscape3. Reading the evidence4. Open-access studies5. Key reviews6. References7. About this article

Definition and research guide

This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.

Content available: 4 complete abstracts (1,046 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.

Definition

Abnormal swelling of the inner aspect of the first metatarsal head affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.

Also known as: Bunions.

Where it fits in the MeSH classification

Broader topics
Foot Deformities, Acquired
Narrower topics
Bunion, Tailor's

Related concepts

  • Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Research landscape

PubMed indexes 312 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Bunion” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 225 of them (72.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 225 records.

Reviews account for 47 records (15.1%) and meta-analyses for 7. Randomized controlled trials number 10 (3.2%) as a share of all records on the topic.

PubMed records by publication periodthrough 1999: 0 records; 2000-2009: 10 records; 2010-2019: 77 records; 2020 onward: 225 records0through 1999102000-2009772010-20192252020 onward
Records in PubMed indexed with this heading, by publication period. Real counts from NCBI E-utilities; the final period covers only part of the current year. Volume reflects how much has been published, not how strong the evidence is.
Show the data
PeriodRecords
through 19990
2000-200910
2010-201977
2020 onward225
Share of records by publication typeReviews: 15.1 percent; Meta-analyses: 2.2 percent; Randomized controlled trials: 3.2 percentReviews15.1% (47)Meta-analyses2.2% (7)Randomized controlled trials3.2% (10)
Share of all PubMed records on this heading that carry each publication type. Types overlap with other records, so the shares do not sum to 100%.
Publication-type chart data
Publication types among 312 PubMed records
TypeRecordsShare
Reviews4715.1%
Meta-analyses72.2%
Randomized controlled trials103.2%

Method: PubMed query "Bunion"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.

Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin

Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.

Evidence from open-access studies

These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.

Study comparison — selected abstracts, not a systematic review
Study / authorsYearSource label / designEurope PMC citationsLicence / source
Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Cai Y, Song Y, He M, He W, Zhong X, Wen H, et al.
2023Meta-analysis
Design not recorded in structured metadata
63cc by
PMID 37726760 · DOI · PMC10510234
Metatarsal Pronation in Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Review
Wagner E, Wagner P
2020Review article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
47cc by
PMID 32656482 · DOI · PMC7322783
3rd generation MICA with the "K-wires-first technique" - a step-by-step instruction and preliminary results
Toepfer A, Strässle M
2022Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
18cc by
PMID 35042485 · DOI · PMC8767719
Comparative effects of modified rotary scarf osteotomy and traditional scarf osteotomy in treating moderate to severe hallux valgus: a retrospective cohort study
Li Z, Yu W, Lin S, Fu K, Fang Z
2024Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
4cc by
PMID 38216881 · DOI · PMC10787438

Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis [1]

Meta-analysis Cai Y, Song Y, He M, He W, Zhong X, Wen H, et al. · · 2023 · cited 63 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundThough hallux valgus is a common foot deformity, the integrated information on its global prevalence and incidence is relatively lacking.
Closing excerpt
Due to the high heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (352 words)

BackgroundThough hallux valgus is a common foot deformity, the integrated information on its global prevalence and incidence is relatively lacking. The aim of this research was to assess the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus, thus providing reliable data reference for clinical practice.MethodsA systematic review of global hallux valgus research publications concerning its prevalence and incidence was performed based on six electronic databases ((PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Online Journals and CQVIP)) from their inception to November 16, 2022. The search terms included "hallux valgus or bunion and prevalence or incidence or epidemiology." All languages were included. Data were extracted by country, continent, age group, gender and other information. The risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data by using random-effects models to synthesize available evidence.ResultsA total of 45 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimated prevalence was 19% (95% CI, 13% to 25%) (n=186,262,669) for hallux valgus. In subgroup meta-analyses, the prevalence of hallux valgus was 21.96% (95% CI, 10.95% to 35.46%) in Asia, 3% (95% CI, 0% to 15%) in Africa, 18.35% (95% CI, 11.65% to 26.16%) in Europe, 29.26% (95% CI, 4.8% to 63.26%) in Oceania, and 16.1% (95% CI, 5.9% to 30.05%) in North America, respectively. The pooled prevalence of hallux valgus by gender was 23.74% (95% CI, 16.21% to 32.21%) for females and 11.43% (95% CI, 6.18% to 18%) for males. The prevalence was 11% (95% CI, 2% to 26%) in individuals younger than 20 years old, 12.22% in adults aged 20-60 years (95% CI, 5.86% to 20.46%) and 22.7% in elderly people aged over 60 years (95% CI, 13.1% to 33.98%).ConclusionThis research provided the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus in terms of its spatial, temporal, and population distribution. The global estimated pooled prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus was 19%. A higher prevalence of hallux valgus was found in females, Oceania countries, and among people aged over 60 years. Due to the high heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 37726760 · DOI · PMC10510234

Metatarsal Pronation in Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Review [2]

Review article Wagner E, Wagner P · · 2020 · cited 47 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
Hallux valgus deformity is a multiplanar deformity, where the rotational component has been recognized over the past 5 to 10 years and given considerable importance.
Closing excerpt
Treatment options are discussed briefly, including metatarsal osteotomies and tarsometatarsal arthrodesis.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (172 words)

Hallux valgus deformity is a multiplanar deformity, where the rotational component has been recognized over the past 5 to 10 years and given considerable importance. Years ago, a rounded shape of the lateral edge of the first metatarsal head was identified as an important factor to detect after surgery because a less rounded metatarsal head was associated to less recurrence. More recently, pronation of the metatarsal bone was identified as the cause for the rounded appearance of the metatarsal head, and therefore, supination stress was found to be useful to achieve a better correction of the deformity. Using CT scans, up to 87% of hallux valgus cases have been shown to present with a pronated metatarsal bone, which highlights the multiplanar nature of the deformity. This pronation explained the perceived shape of the metatarsal bone and the malposition of the medial sesamoid bone in radiological studies, which has been associated as one of the most important factors for recurrence after treatment. Treatment options are discussed briefly, including metatarsal osteotomies and tarsometatarsal arthrodesis.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32656482 · DOI · PMC7322783

3rd generation MICA with the "K-wires-first technique" - a step-by-step instruction and preliminary results [3]

Research article Toepfer A, Strässle M · · 2022 · cited 18 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundMinimally-invasive techniques for hallux valgus correction are becoming increasingly popular.
Closing excerpt
ch ).
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (292 words)

BackgroundMinimally-invasive techniques for hallux valgus correction are becoming increasingly popular. In the last decades, multiple techniques for minimally-invasive hallux valgus correction have been described. MICA (Minimally-invasive Chevron & Akin), representing the 3rd generation of minimally-invasive hallux valgus correction, combines the advantages of an extraarticular osteotomy, stable internal fixation, and high potential for correction. This report aims to provide a step-by-step instruction of the surgical technique with the "K-wires-first" MICA modification, illustrated by detailed imaging of both intraoperative fluoroscopy and clinical imaging as well as corresponding sawbone models for each step. Preliminary results including radiological outcome and complications of the first 50 cases will be discussed.MethodsBetween May 2018 and May 2021, 50 consecutive MICAs in 47 patients were performed with the K-wires-first technique. There were 40 women and 7 men with an average of 57.4y (range 25-78). The mean preoperative IMA was 16.2° (range 11.0-21.5), the HVA 30.6° (range 21.8-42.1).ResultsThere was one intraoperative conversion to an open surgical bunion correction corresponding to a 2% conversion rate respectively (1/50). On 3 feet (2 patients), removal of the Chevron screws was performed after 7, 9, and 12 months due to prominent and disturbing screw heads at the level of the medial cortex, accounting for a revision rate of 6% (3/50). There were no other secondary revision surgeries. The IMA decreased after MICA by a mean of 10.8° from 16.2° to 5.4° and the HVA by a mean of 22.1° from 30.6° to 8.5°, demonstrating MICA's high potential for correction.ConclusionsCompared to other MICA techniques, the K-wires-first modification helps to reduce hardware malpositioning and the risk of conversion to open surgery. Furthermore, our preliminary results demonstrate a high potential for correction even for severe hallux deformities.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered, swissethics BASEC-ID 2021-01537, July 16th, 2021 ( www.raps.swissethics.ch ).

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35042485 · DOI · PMC8767719

Comparative effects of modified rotary scarf osteotomy and traditional scarf osteotomy in treating moderate to severe hallux valgus: a retrospective cohort study [4]

Research article Li Z, Yu W, Lin S, Fu K, Fang Z · · 2024 · cited 4 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundTraditional Scarf osteotomy (TSO) is an effective procedure with a good record in moderate to severe hallux valgus (MSHV) surgery.
Closing excerpt
Although DMAA could be increased by MRSO, MRSO could still be a reproducible, non-dangerous and efficacious alternative procedure for treating HV patients which do not have severe DMAA.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (230 words)

BackgroundTraditional Scarf osteotomy (TSO) is an effective procedure with a good record in moderate to severe hallux valgus (MSHV) surgery. In order to overcome shortcomings of TSO, Modified Rotary Scarf osteotomy (MRSO) was introduced in this study, which aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcome in the patients treated with MRSO or TSO.MethodsOf 175 patients (247 feet) with MSHV, 100 patients (138 feet) treated with MRSO and 75 patients (109 feet) treated with TSO were evaluated according to relevant indicators in twenty-four months follow-up. Pre-surgical and post-surgical HVA, IMA, DMAA, MTP-1 ROM, sesamoid grade and AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) scores and postsurgical complications were evaluated.ResultsBoth groups manifested similar baseline characters. The mean follow-up was of 25.9 (range, 22-37) months. Significantly lower IMA, lower Sesamoid grade and higher DMAA at six months, twelve months and twenty-four months post-surgically had been showed in MRSO group compared to TSO group. There was no significant difference in HVA, MTP-1 ROM and AOFAS data at each follow-up time point post-surgically between the two groups. No major complications occurred in either group.ConclusionMRSO showed comparable results to TSO, and improved IMA and sesamoid grade to a greater extent, with a lower probability of throughing effect. Although DMAA could be increased by MRSO, MRSO could still be a reproducible, non-dangerous and efficacious alternative procedure for treating HV patients which do not have severe DMAA.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38216881 · DOI · PMC10787438

Key reviews and meta-analyses

The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.

  • Research article First Metatarsal Rotation in Hallux Valgus Deformity [5]
    Steadman J, Barg A, Saltzman CL · Foot Ankle Int · 2021 · cited 72 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Percutaneous Surgery of the Forefoot [6]
    Redfern D, Vernois J, Legré BP · Clin Podiatr Med Surg · 2015 · cited 63 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Complications on Percutaneous Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Systematic Review [7]
    Miranda MAM, Martins C, Cortegana IM, Campos G, Pérez MFM, Oliva XM · J Foot Ankle Surg · 2021 · cited 27 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Recurrence Rates With Longer-Term Follow-up After Hallux Valgus Surgical Treatment With Distal Metatarsal Osteotomies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [8]
    Lalevee M, de Cesar Netto C, ReSurg, Boublil D, Coillard JY · Foot Ankle Int · 2023 · cited 26 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Comparison of Minimally Invasive and Traditionally Open Surgeries in Correction of Hallux Valgus: A Meta-Analysis [9]
    Lu J, Zhao H, Liang X, Ma Q · J Foot Ankle Surg · 2020 · cited 25 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Learning curve associated with minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus: A systematic review [10]
    Baumann AN, Walley KC, Anastasio AT, Gong DC, Talusan PG · Foot Ankle Surg · 2023 · cited 20 times (Europe PMC)

References

  1. Cai Y, Song Y, He M, He W, Zhong X, Wen H, et al.. Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. . 2023. PMID 37726760 · DOI · PMC10510234
  2. Wagner E, Wagner P. Metatarsal Pronation in Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Review. . 2020. PMID 32656482 · DOI · PMC7322783
  3. Toepfer A, Strässle M. 3rd generation MICA with the "K-wires-first technique" - a step-by-step instruction and preliminary results. . 2022. PMID 35042485 · DOI · PMC8767719
  4. Li Z, Yu W, Lin S, Fu K, Fang Z. Comparative effects of modified rotary scarf osteotomy and traditional scarf osteotomy in treating moderate to severe hallux valgus: a retrospective cohort study. . 2024. PMID 38216881 · DOI · PMC10787438
  5. Steadman J, Barg A, Saltzman CL. First Metatarsal Rotation in Hallux Valgus Deformity. Foot Ankle Int. 2021. PMID 33764800 · DOI
  6. Redfern D, Vernois J, Legré BP. Percutaneous Surgery of the Forefoot. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2015. PMID 26117570 · DOI
  7. Miranda MAM, Martins C, Cortegana IM, Campos G, Pérez MFM, Oliva XM. Complications on Percutaneous Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Systematic Review. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021. PMID 33579548 · DOI
  8. Lalevee M, de Cesar Netto C, ReSurg, Boublil D, Coillard JY. Recurrence Rates With Longer-Term Follow-up After Hallux Valgus Surgical Treatment With Distal Metatarsal Osteotomies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Foot Ankle Int. 2023. PMID 36859795 · DOI
  9. Lu J, Zhao H, Liang X, Ma Q. Comparison of Minimally Invasive and Traditionally Open Surgeries in Correction of Hallux Valgus: A Meta-Analysis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2020. PMID 32600562 · DOI
  10. Baumann AN, Walley KC, Anastasio AT, Gong DC, Talusan PG. Learning curve associated with minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus: A systematic review. Foot Ankle Surg. 2023. PMID 37524619 · DOI

About this article

Sources
NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
Verification
Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
Review state
automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
Version
1, last updated 2026-11-04.

See how EvidenceLib is built. Spotted an error? Email support@evidencehelix.com.

Evidence strength

EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.

Included with the Researcher plan

Reading every article stays free. This computed view is part of the paid plans.

See plans Sign in

Your notes

Notes and highlights stay in this browser only; they are not sent to EvidenceHelix.

Related research topics

  • Hallux RigidusBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • Hallux ValgusBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • JointsAnatomy and Physiology
  • Temporomandibular Joint DisordersBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • EnthesopathyBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • SacroiliitisBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin

All 113 articles in Bones, Joints, Muscles and Skin →

At a glance

312
PubMed records on this heading
72%
published since 2020
47
review articles
10
randomized trials
10
verified references below

Counts come from PubMed on 2026-11-04; they show how much has been written, not how strong the evidence is.

Related topics See all →

  • Hallux RigidusBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • Hallux ValgusBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • JointsAnatomy and Physiology
  • Temporomandibular Joint DisordersBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin
  • EnthesopathyBones, Joints, Muscles and Skin

My notes & annotations (0)

Nothing yet. Select text and press Highlight, or write a note in the Notes tab. Stored in this browser only.

Sources

  • NLM MeSH record ↗
  • PubMed search used ↗

EvidenceLib is a research-education resource, not medical advice. It does not diagnose, prescribe or recommend starting, stopping or changing any treatment. Talk to a qualified clinician about your own situation. Methods, sources and licences · Rights and removal requests · Legal · Support