Dr Tay Guan Tzu, our Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, was interviewed by The Straits Times for its 29 July 2026 article on bunions. He explained how bunions can cause pain and why surgery is not always needed.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe. It forms as the big toe shifts towards the smaller toes, changing the shape of the joint.
Why Do Some People Get Bunions?
Bunions can run in families and are more common among women. Flat feet and high joint flexibility, known as hypermobility, can also lead to their development.
How Bunions Can Affect Daily Life
Not everyone with bunions has symptoms. For those who do, footwear can press against the bunion and cause pain, while the big toe joint can also ache. Flat feet often occur alongside bunions and can make the discomfort worse.
These symptoms can make it difficult to find comfortable footwear or take part in activities that involve standing or walking for long periods.
Bunion Treatment Options
Dr Tay recommended starting with conservative treatment. This can include wearing wider shoes to reduce pressure over the bunion and using customised insoles, especially when flat feet are also present.
He described bunion surgery as the “nuclear option” and stressed that it should relieve symptoms, not improve the appearance of the foot.
“There are many with bunions who are asymptomatic and only need to be reassured.”
Read the Full Bunion Feature
Read the full Straits Times article on bunions and treatment for more information on managing the condition and when surgery is considered.
If bunion pain affects your daily activities, contact Pinnacle Orthopaedic Group to arrange an assessment.
About Our Doctor
Dr Tay Guan Tzu
MB BCh BAO, MRCS, MMed (Orth), FRCS (Orth)
Dr Tay Guan Tzu is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore who specialises in foot and ankle surgery and paediatric orthopaedics, with experience in treating both children and adults. He manages a wide range of conditions, including lower limb deformities, sports injuries, and trauma.