Appearance is only one part
Two feet that look similar can cause very different symptoms. A pronounced deformity can be painless, while a smaller change may be very uncomfortable. A phone photo cannot establish severity or choose treatment.
The assessment includes pain location, joint mobility, skin, calluses, other toes and whether the deformity is flexible or rigid.
What does a weight-bearing X-ray show?
Standing X-rays show alignment under load. Measurements may include the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the intermetatarsal angle (IMA). They help describe the deformity and plan surgery, but are not a diagnosis on their own.
Thresholds for mild, moderate and severe vary between classifications. Decisions are based on the full clinical picture.
Symptoms matter more than cosmetics
Surgery should not be planned only because a foot looks different. It is generally considered when pain and limitation continue despite appropriate conservative care.
A painless bunion that does not affect function may only need monitoring and shoes with a sufficiently wide toe box.
How to monitor change
Every few months, note pain, comfortable walking time and footwear problems. Comparable photographs can help, but remain secondary to symptoms and assessment.
Rapid deterioration, a wound, numbness or severe inflammation should prompt an earlier consultation.