I have had a fairly protruding bunion for many years that did not seem to bother me except when buying new shoes.  Over the last two years I noticed the flexibility in my bunion affected foot to be decreasing to the point where I couldn’t cross that foot over my knee – barely mid calf without feeling like my hip would pop out of joint.  Not wanting to accept the explanation of arthritis of my hip from my primary doctor (after all, I feel to young to have arthritis!) I looked for another cause.  After seeing pictures of x-rays of people with bunions I noticed how this affected the whole alignment so I went ahead with the surgery and am pleased to say iI can now cross my foot over my knee without any pain to my hip.  In fact, I no longer notice hip soreness after walking for along time either.  -Mary Glowing