Table of contents:
Definition
What is bunion surgery?
A bunion is a lump of bone at the base of your big toe. The most common cause of bunions is footwear that is not wide enough to accommodate your toes in a normal position. Bunions are sometimes associated with arthritis of the joint at the base of your big toe.
What are the benefits of bunion surgery?
This operation is done to straighten your big toe, so that you will feel comfortable when wearing the shoes.
When do I need to have bunion surgery?
Most bunions can be treated without surgery. But when nonsurgical treatment isn't enough, surgery can reduce your pain, correct those leg deformities, and help you carry out normal activities. You may want to consider doing bunion surgery if:
- nonsurgical treatment hasn't taken your pain away
- You have difficulty walking or doing normal, daily activities
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before having bunion surgery?
The goal of this surgery is to correct the deformation of the foot and heal the pain, not to beautify the shape of the foot. This surgery is not cosmetic plastic surgery.
After having bunion surgery, you still shouldn't wear smaller sized shoes or narrow, pointy-toed shoes. In fact, you may even have to stick to a few types of shoes your whole life. Always follow the doctor's recommendations in choosing the right shoe size.
Remember that the main cause of bunion abnormalities is narrow shoes. If you wear narrow shoes again, your bunion will reappear.
Are there alternatives to bunion surgery?
Putting a pad on the bunion or leaving space between the big toe and the other toes will be helpful.
Use the right shoes with good quality. If you can't find it, seek advice from the hospital's orthotic department.
Process
What should I do before bunion surgery?
If you decide to have bunion surgery, you may be asked to have a physical exam by your doctor before the surgery to assess your health. If you have heart or lung disease or other chronic illness, you will need permission from your family before surgery is performed. Before surgery, you should tell your orthopedic surgeon about the medications you are taking. You will be informed about what medications you should and shouldn't take before the surgery. Blood tests, heart charts, chest X-rays, urine tests, and special foot X-rays are usually done first by your orthopedic surgeon to help the surgical procedure run smoothly.
How is the bunion surgery process?
Various anesthetic techniques can be performed. The operation usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. This surgery will remove the bunion, release or tighten the ligaments, realign the big toe, joints, and straighten the smaller toes.
What should I do after bunion surgery?
You should spend most of the first week with your leg elevated so that there is no swelling. Regular exercise will help you get back to normal activities right away. Before you start exercising, ask your healthcare team or doctor for advice. It may be six weeks or so before the swelling starts to subside, you can wear normal shoes again.
Complications
What complications can occur?
omplication General:
pain
bleeding
wrinkles / cuts in the abdomen
blood clots
infection in the surgical area (wound)
difficulty urinating
Special Complications:
- damage to blood vessels
- bone repair problems
- big toe difficult to move
- pain, your legs are stiff (complex regional syndrome), pain in the front of the foot
- the bunion reappeared
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
