What the pros and cons of bunion surgery?

4 Responses to What the pros and cons of bunion surgery?

1. Kelly S says:

   March 16, 2009 at 4:25 pm

   Rarely, the bunion can simply be shaved off, but usually the surgical treatment of a bunion is more extensive-otherwise the bunion will simply return over time.
   Bunion surgery involves breaking the toe bone (metatarsal) to correct the alignment. There is also a tightening of the ligaments on the outside of the toe, and a release of the ligaments on the inside, so the tension on the ligaments points the toe in the proper direction.

   The major drawback to bunion surgery is that you will have pain in the foot, and probably not be completely healed for about three months. The most common complication of bunion surgery is a recurrence of the bunion months or years later. That said, if bunions are causing you problems in walking, it is certainly reasonable to consider surgical bunion treatment.

   Other potential complications of surgery include:
   Inadequate correction
   Overcorrection of the deformity (hallux varus — the big toe points inward)
   Nerve injury, can cause numbness of the toes
   Infection

   What is the rehabilitation from bunion surgery?
   Patients must wear a special post-operative shoe to prevent pressure and forces to push on the healing bone. Most people will be on crutches, at least until the initial pain has subsided. Bunion surgery can be quite uncomfortable, and may require about 3 months or more to completely heal.
2. fortunateone41 says:

   March 16, 2009 at 4:25 pm

   It hurts, because of course, it's surgery. You will get painkillers, and the pain is not THAT bad. It's generally done through an arthroscope.

   It takes a while but every case is different.

   You don't stay in bed. You wear an orthopedic boot to walk on for a while.

   Yes, they can recur but usually don't.
3. Mark T Vinn says:

   March 16, 2009 at 4:25 pm

   the pros are you will have better looking feet
   the cons are surgeries are rarely a total success
4. Kyrelle says:

   July 25, 2009 at 12:10 pm

   Well, i’m 21 and 2 weeks and 5 days into my post op period. I can say that my bunion pain was extremely painful so the ‘mitchel surgery’ i had performed on my left foot (right foot after this one has healed) was a must.

   Immediately after surgery, when i woke up, i felt a little pain in my bunion area (where my bunion was). but to no extent as bad a pain as i had previously felt pre op. When i got home i felt pressure and ‘pins and needles’ in my big toe, but the pain would subside with co-codamol or even panadol at times.

   i went to see my dr. for my 1st post op visit, bandages were removed and stitches were taken out. i’m told i still cannot put my whole foot on the floor, i have to walk with my heel for another 4 weeks, which i’m tired of doing already, but have to stick to. My foot is perfect i must say! Compared to how it looked before! I have to have my second post op visit in 3 weeks time…hopefully then i can walk normally.

   I had to keep my foot elevated throughout my first 2 weeks post op appointment and i was told not to wet the foot at all. Now i can take a normal bath finally, but still feel a bit of pain when the foot isn’t elevated for too long.

   I didn’t spend a long time in bed, but i couldn’t walk for too long either, so leaving the house was not an option for me.

   In my opinion, it is completely worth it and i would recommend it to anyone whose bunions are painful and interfering with their day to day life.

   I have been given a silicone spacer to place between my big toe and second toe. This is to stop the big toe from slanting back to it’s former position. I have to wear this spacer 24-7 and am supposed to wear it for life.

   The only con i can present is the pins and needles i am feeling in my big toe…but it’s nothing and i am told it will gradually disappear.

   thanks for reading