Among many procedures that are aimed at fixing foot deformities, bunion surgery and toe shortening procedure are among the most common ones. If you’re about to undergo one of these surgeries, you are probably curious to find out what they are exactly. This text can give you all the answers – keep reading.
What Is a Toe Shortening Procedure?
As the name suggests, toe shortening is a procedure during which your surgeon will shorten the long toe that causes symptoms. This is a simple, minimally invasive outpatient procedure that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the severity of a patient’s deformity. The incisions are small but enough to allow the surgeon to access the bone and fix it. During toe shortening surgery, your doctor can perform an arthroplasty, which means they remove a part of the small toe joint, or a bone fusion, which means they will remove the small toe joint and fuse the ends of the bones together.
Symptoms of a Long Toe
A long toe doesn’t always have to cause symptoms, but when it does, the most common problem is the pain at the tip of the toe and in the area of the toenail. This is due to the pressure caused by wearing shoes, especially those that are narrow and uncomfortable. Additional symptoms include swelling, redness, or numbness.
Causes of a Long Toe
Most foot deformities are a direct result of lifestyle choices – that is, the type of shoes that a person chooses to wear. However, this isn’t the case with a long toe. This foot condition is a result of genetics – it’s a hereditary condition.
What Is Bunion Surgery?
Bunion surgery, or bunionectomy, is the procedure during which a surgeon removes bunions with one of three techniques:
- Exostectomy – shaving off the bunion deformity,
- Arthrodesis – bone fusion technique that’s reserved for the most severe cases,
- Osteotomy – cutting the bones and realigning them in the correct position.
Symptoms of a Bunion
Bunions cause intermittent or persistent pain – this is the main problem with this deformity, and it affects day-to-day life and activities. The pressure from shoes makes the symptoms worse. Additionally, patients may experience inflammation in the big toe joint, redness, soreness, and swelling. Over time, the toe movements can become restricted if arthritis develops.
Causes of a Bunion
Bunions develop over time – the process usually takes many years, and it’s a result of wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes that put pressure on the foot. One of the main reasons bunions occur is wearing high heels – this is why this deformity is way more common in women than men.
How to Know if You Need Bunion Surgery and Toe Shortening Procedure?
Once you know what symptoms occur with these conditions, it isn’t hard to guess if you have a bunion or a long toe. However, nothing can be said for sure until you visit an experienced doctor who will perform a detailed examination and rule out any other possible conditions.
Consult Your Surgeon About Bunion Surgery and Toe Shortening
Once you get checked out by a trusted doctor and get a diagnosis of your foot condition, the next step is deciding on the course of treatment. Bunions and long toes are typically treated surgically, as no conservative treatment options give results with these conditions. So, you should discuss the surgery with your doctor and learn what you can expect from the procedure. Our doctors at Luxe Foot Surgery clinic can help you out – contact us to book your free first consultation.
FAQ
Can You Surgically Make Your Toes Shorter?
Yes, toes can be made shorter with surgery. A toe shortening procedure is performed on a long toe – this is a genetic condition, and it usually manifests as a long second toe.
How Long Does It Take to Heal From Toe Shortening Surgery?
Toe shortening surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and it takes about six weeks to fully recover, but this depends on the severity of the case and how complex the surgery was.
