Bunions are bony prominences that may become painful over time. If you find that your pain persists, despite conservative treatments, our specialists at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center in Greater Columbus can help by means of bunion correction.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.
“You were prepared regarding my foot issues before you stepped in the room! I appreciated your knowledge, explanations and graphics to show me what we can do. You gave me hope today! Thank you.” — Heidi C.
A bunion (also referred to as hallux valgus) is a visible bony bump or bony prominence that can form on the outside edge of your big toe joint. Bunions can be very painful since they can change your big toe alignment, causing your big toe to move towards your smaller toes. The bony enlargement or bump can cause rubbing in shoes and lead to irritation. Bunions may form due to prolonged periods of stress on your joint, arthritis, and more.
Bunion surgery (also known as a bunionectomy) is an outpatient procedure used to correct bunions. Bunion reconstructive surgery is necessary when your bunion is causing pain or functional problems, reducing your quality of life and limiting ones activities.
There are different surgical techniques that can be used to correct this toe deformity, relieve pain, and improve function.
The type of surgical procedure you receive will depend on the severity of your bunion. After an examination, your surgeon may choose to use the following techniques during your foot surgery:
You may be an eligible candidate and your surgeon may recommend bunion surgery if you have the following:
You can prepare for bunion surgery by taking the following steps:
You can also take other practical steps to prepare, such as:
Most bunion surgeries are performed in an outpatient setting and done under anesthesia with a numbing block to the foot or leg. Typically, the procedure for this type of surgery is as follows:
Since you will not be able to put weight on your foot, you may be given a protective boot or shoe. About two to three weeks after surgery, your stitches will be removed. To ensure that your foot heals properly, you will have to see your podiatrist for post-operative visits. Most bunion surgeries require at least 6 to 12 weeks to heal.
To avoid complications, it is imperative that you carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, especially during the first few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy may be recommended to help you regain strength and range of motion. Additionally, your surgeon may prescribe pain medications to relieve your discomfort.
The possible risks of bunion surgery complications include the following:
Complications are rare and easy to treat.
If you have a bunion causing significant pain and reside in the Columbus, OH area, contact us today to schedule an appointment with our Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center experts! Together we can create a plan to help you relieve your pain.
Medically Reviewed by: Roberto A. Brandão, DPM, FACFAS
