Bunion Surgery
Conservative Treatment for Bunions
Your GP may have already initially recommended conservative treatment measures with the goal of reducing or eliminating your foot pain.
Such measures can include:
- Medications for relieving pain and inflammation
- Wearing surgical shoes with a wide and high toe box, avoiding tight, pointed or high-heeled shoes.
- Use of orthotics to realign the bones of your foot and ease pain.
- Padding of bunions
- Ice applications several times a day
Conservative treatment measures can help relieve the discomfort of a bunion, however these measures will not prevent the bunion from becoming worse.
What are the types of surgery for bunions?
Surgery is the only means of correcting a bunion. Surgery is also recommended when conservative measures fail to treat the symptoms of bunion.
There are many surgical options to treat a bunion. The common goal is to realign the bones in the foot, correct the deformity, and relieve pain and discomfort. The surgery is performed as a day procedure, under the effect of a light general anaesthetic and a regional nerve block. When you wake up, you will not be in pain and will be able to walk on your foot straight away.
Osteotomy is a common type of bunion surgery that involves the surgical cutting and realignment of the bones around your big toe. Your surgeon selects the appropriate surgical procedure based on the type of bunion and its severity.
There are 3 main types of osteotomies used by foot and ankle surgeons; namely akin osteotomy, chevron osteotomy, and scarf osteotomy.
Akin Osteotomy
Chevron Osteotomy
Scarf Osteotomy
What are Risks and Complications of Bunion Surgery?
- Infection
- Recurrence of the bunion
- Nerve damage
- Unresolved pain and swelling
- Joint stiffness or restricted movement
- Delayed healing or healing in the wrong position
Post-Operative Care for Bunion Surgery
- Keep your dressings dry and leave them in place until your next outpatient appointment.
- Minimize walking where possible.
- Elevate the foot to minimize swelling as much as possible for the first 6 weeks.
- You will have to wear specially designed post-operative shoes to protect the wounds and assist in walking
- You may not be able to wear regular shoes for 6 weeks