If you’re experiencing troubles when walking and doing daily activities, your feet constantly hurt, and your shoes don’t fit well, you might start wondering when do you need bunion surgery. What’s the right moment for this step, and when are you ready for this? Consulting with a doctor will help you solve your dilemma and make the best possible decision.
What Is Exactly a Bunion Surgery?
Bunion surgery, in the medical sense, is also known as a bunionectomy, which is basically a treatment where a specialist corrects your bunions. There are several different types of bunion surgery, and most of them involve repositioning your big toe. That is necessary in order to relieve pain and continue functioning normally without experiencing trouble with walking and other daily activities.
In case you have a bunion, your big toe will bend towards the second toe creating a bum at its base. This bum will grow and become red, swollen, and painful, so it will be hard for you to walk or fit into your shoes. The medical procedure is supposed to align the big toe properly, so the bun is corrected and you’re no longer experiencing pain and other connected issues. This is a common surgery, and the recovery process isn’t very hard, so there is nothing you should worry about if you book surgery with a certified specialist.
What Kind of Bunions Are There?
There are three common types of bunions, and they include:
- Congenital hallux valgus (babies can be born with them),
- Juvenile or adolescent hallux valgus (they can develop among teens in the age of 10 – 15)
- Tailor’s bunion (it’s called bunionette – when bunions form on the outside of the pinky toe).
When Do You Need Bunion Surgery?
You might be worried about your health and wonder if you need this type of surgery. In case you experience severe foot pain and can’t walk or run even when you wear flat and comfortable shoes, you might need surgery in order to relieve the pain. You may also need surgery if you have chronic big toe inflammation, and the swelling can’t be stopped with medicines.
What Are the Benefits of This Procedure?
There are many satisfied patients who experienced great pain relief after this surgery, so this is the main goal and advantage. Bunion surgery recovery in some cases might last longer than expected so this is a possible downside. The surgery is supposed to improve the big toe alignment, so this should help you walk more easily once the recovery process is over.
Are There Risks You Should Be Aware Of?
Ever heard that bunion surgery gone wrong? If you’re about to have this procedure, you might be worried about possible risks. Despite the fact this isn’t a very complex medical procedure, there are still some potential problems after bunion surgery in case that something goes wrong, including:
- Risk of infection,
- Poor bone healing,
- Swelling,
- Numbness,
- Stiffness,
- Nerve damage,
- Overcorrection of the big toe.
Who Is the Perfect Candidate for Bunion Surgery?
Candidates for this surgery are people that experienced prolonged pain caused by a bunion. Their bunions usually also cause some functional problems. You are a candidate for this surgery in case you:
- Have a big toe that drifts towards other smaller toes,
- Have a stiff toe (hallux rigidus),
- Experience swelling and inflammation that won’t go away,
- Experience frequent pain in your feet during everyday activities.
Talk to Your Surgeon if You Are Not Sure You Need a Bunion Surgery
The best way to decide if you need surgery and what types of bunion surgery are suitable for your specific situation is to talk to a certified specialist. You can always book an appointment at Luxe Foot Surgery clinic and talk to professionals in order to be sure you’re eligible for this medical procedure and find out what are the potential risks, bunion surgery cost, and more details about the recovery process. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any additional questions, and we’ll make sure you don’t experience any problems with booking and your upcoming appointment.
FAQ
Do All Bunions Eventually Need Surgery?
In most cases, bunions won’t get any better on their own or magically go away with conservative treatments. The only way to completely remove it is with medical surgery, but even this doesn’t have to be the permanent solution because bunions, in many cases, tend to come back, especially if you don’t make severe lifestyle changes.
What Age Should You Get Bunion Surgery?
It is recommended that you delay the bunion surgery for children younger than twelve due to the kid’s foot’s nature and growth. The area of bunion correction is usually not one primary affected by growth.
How Painful Is Bunion Surgery?
The surgery isn’t painful at all. It’s done with a local anesthetic that numbs your foot – you won’t feel any pain. You’ll also take sedatives during the surgery to be calmer in general, so there is nothing to worry about. The recovery process can be a little painful, but the pain should be much lower than what you experienced from the bunion itself.
What Happens If You Don’t Remove Bunions?
In case you completely ignore your bunions, they can lead to severe foot deformities. If you have a bunion, the big toe will start bending toward smaller toes creating a bump that will grow and become swollen and painful. It will be hard for you to ignore it because you won’t be able to fit into your shoes without experiencing even bigger pain and discomfort. It is known that some specific medical conditions might raise the risk of developing bunions. This might happen in case you have rheumatoid arthritis.
