Most patients who decide to undergo bunion surgery to get rid of the pain are extremely satisfied with the results – the success rate for bunionectomy is 95%. Still, there is a small number of people who will experience foot pain 2 years after bunion surgery. Why does this happen? If you want to find out everything about this problem, stay with us – we’ve explained it all in this text.
What Is the Cause of Foot Pain 2 Years After Bunion Surgery?
People often wonder what’s the reason for the pain one year after the bunion surgery – while it isn’t pleasant, there is still a chance that it will go away. But what if you have pain two years after the procedure? What’s the cause of this pain that most commonly occurs on the ball of the foot?
When your surgeon performs bunion surgery, they often have to cut the first metatarsal bone. This means that once it heals, the bone will be slightly shorter than other metatarsal bones. As a result, it will be able to bear less weight and shift additional weight to the second metatarsal bone, which may cause pain in the ball of the foot.
Is the Pain Indicator That the Surgery Was Not a Success?
The pain doesn’t have to mean the bunionectomy wasn’t successful – you can have pain even when your bunion is removed. Apart from the pain in the ball of the foot, a patient can have chronic post-surgical pain caused by nerve damage.
How to Treat Foot Pain?
Regardless of the reasons for the pain, you need to treat it with some pain medication. Your doctor will prescribe something you can take during the recovery period, but if the pain continues, they might advise you to continue to take the medication. Most commonly, the medication of choice will be one of the NSAIDs, which are over-the-counter medications. In rare cases of severe neural pain, patients can benefit from opioids or anticonvulsant medication.
Are There Some Home Treatments for the Pain?
Apart from pain medication, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease the pain. Techniques such as meditation and journaling to keep track of the pain can be helpful, and there are also compresses (warm or cold) that might provide pain relief. Custom-made orthotics are also commonly used for dealing with chronic pain.
Call Your Surgeon in Miami if You Feel Pain
If you still experience pain two or more years after bunion surgery, and you have no idea why this happens, it might be time to consult with a skilled and experienced surgeon who can provide you with some answers. Why sit in pain when there may be something that can be done about it? We recommend you reach out to our Luxe Foot Surgery clinic, where you can talk to the surgeon from our team – he is considered expert in his field. Contact us to book your free consultation – we are looking forward to having you as a patient. You can call our office to book your appointment or fill out an inquiry form on our website.
FAQ
Can You Get Bunion Surgery Twice?
Yes, you can undergo bunion removal surgery twice if necessary. If the first procedure is unsuccessful, the surgeon will suggest a so-called revision surgery.
How Often Do Bunions Return After Surgery?
Some data suggest that recurrence rates after bunionectomy are about 16% – still, we must keep in mind that the success of the procedure depends on the severity of the case, the chosen surgical method, and the skill of the doctor who has performed the bunionectomy.
Can You Get Nerve Damage From Bunion Surgery?
Yes, sadly, nerve damage is one of the complications after bunion surgery that you should be aware of. However, it’s rare, and even when it does occur, the damage is usually transitory and rarely leads to chronic issues.
Can You Get Arthritis After Bunion Surgery?
Arthritis can sometimes develop after bunion surgery, but many years later. In this case, it’s essential to determine the cause of this new condition and treat it accordingly.
