When is surgery needed for bunions? An orthopaedic surgeon shares what to do before considering surgery.
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Before surgery is considered, your healthcare provider may recommend first wearing comfortable, well-fitting footwear particularly shoes that conform to the shape of the foot and do not cause pressure areas. For bunions caused by arthritis, medicines may help reduce pain and swelling. If these treatments don't help, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery. This often resolves the problem. The goal of surgery is to relieve pain and correct as much deformity as possible.
The surgery is not cosmetic and is not meant to improve the appearance of the foot. Other related procedures that may be used to help diagnose foot disorders include X-rays of the bone and foot. Please see these procedures for more information. The type of surgical procedure performed depends on the severity of the bunion, your age, general health, activity level, and the condition of the bones and connective tissue.
Other factors may influence the choice of a procedure used:. You may need bunion surgery if you have severe foot pain that happens even when walking or wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Surgery may also be needed when chronic big toe inflammation and swelling isn't relieved with rest or medicines. Other reasons for surgery include toe deformity, a drifting in of the big toe toward the small toe, and an inability to bend and straighten the big toe.
As with any surgical procedure, complications can happen. Some possible complications may include:. Other complications may include recurrence of the bunion, nerve damage, and continued pain. The surgery may also result in overcorrection of the problem, in which the big toe extends away from the other toes.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and offer you the chance to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. In addition to a complete medical history, your healthcare provider may perform a complete physical exam to make sure that you are in good health before undergoing the procedure.
Facebook twitter Pinterest instagram. The Slow Progression of Deformity We could talk all day about bunions. You may have at least some control over how quickly or slowly they worsen. Surgery is the only way to get rid of them. Although conservative treatments might be able to improve your symptoms, they do not make the bunion itself any smaller.
Conservative Options If you do see us early—when pain is minor or, ideally, nonexistent and you still fit in your shoes—there may be several non-surgical strategies we can help you pursue which may be effective. When Is Surgery Necessary? You experience pain daily, or when performing tasks or activities that are important to your quality of life, and that pain is bad enough to keep you from performing or enjoying them the way you would like to.
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