Bunion Surgery Specialist

What are bunions?

Bunions are large, bony protrusions that develop on the base joint of your big toe. They develop slowly over time when your big toe joint becomes misaligned. As the bunion develops, it pushes your big toe toward your second toe next to it. They’re more common in women because women’s shoes tend to be more narrow and push the toes together.

Bunions don’t always hurt, but they can become inflamed and tender. They also alter the way your foot looks and can make you hesitate to wear sandals or go barefoot in front of others. Before you consider getting bunion surgery at the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration, the team may recommend trying roomier or more comfortable footwear or custom orthotics to ease the pressure on your bunion.

What is bunion surgery?

Bunion surgery is a corrective foot surgery to reduce the size of your bunion. The surgery also realigns your big toe and relieves pressure on the joint. The surgical technique that your surgeon uses to correct your bunion depends on the size of your bunion and other factors, such as your age and the strength of your bones and tissues. Your bunion surgery might include:

• Tendon and ligament repair
• Bone cutting
• Bone repair with screws and plates
• Excision of the bump

During your surgery, your surgeon focuses on realigning your toe permanently while removing or reducing the bump to reshape your foot. Your surgeon details the exact technique before your surgery. They typically use either local or regional anesthesia to numb your foot, so you’re likely awake for the procedure.

What can I expect during recovery from bunion surgery?

Although the surgery happens on an outpatient basis and you can go home the same day, it takes up to six months to fully recover after bunion surgery. Follow the team’s instructions for recovery, so your foot heals properly and you can soon walk comfortably again. During the recovery period, you must:

• Attend regular follow-up appointments
• Wear a dressing on your foot
• Keep the dressing clean and dry
• Take pain medications as prescribed
• Keep your foot elevated whenever possible

The team at the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration gives you instructions for home exercises to perform. They help you keep your foot mobile and eventually ease back into walking.

If your bunion hurts or if you simply don’t like the way it looks, call the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration for a bunion surgery consultation today.