Bunion Surgery

What is a Bunion (Hallux Valgus)?

A bunion is a protuberance of abnormal tissue that develops around the joint of the big or occasionally little toe. It is a symptom of faulty foot mechanics and runs in families with problematic foot types such as flat feet and low arches. Bones and tendons at the base of the big and little toe work together in a complex way to transmit and distribute our body weight. When these areas become abnormally stressed and over extended for a significant period of time a bunion deformity can develop.

Why is Bunion surgery performed?

Bunion Surgery is a traditional surgical technique used to relieve persistent pain, and swelling that fails to improve or respond to medication and other non- surgical treatments. The most common reason this operation is performed is to relieve the chronic symptoms of pain, pressure and discomfort on walking. 

How is Bunion surgery performed?

Bunion surgery can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep), Epidural, Regional or Local Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes around half an hour to perform and most procedures are provided on a Day-Case basis.

During the procedure patients are positioned on their back on an operating table.
There are a number of surgical methods used to deal with bunions that vary slightly according to the severity of the deformity:

i. For a mild bunion deformity; the surgeon may simply remove the protrusion of bone and realign the muscle, tendons and ligaments surrounding the problematic joint.

ii. For a moderate bunion deformity; the surgeon may perform the above procedure in combination with an osteotomy procedure, which cuts, repositions and straightens the effected toe bone. The repositioned toe bone may be held in place with an internal screw or rod. 

iii. For a severe bunion deformity; such as where the toe joint is diseased or damaged beyond repair, the above technique will be performed and also combined with the removal and replacement of the diseased bone with an artificial prosthesis.  

At the end of the procedure the wound is closed with traditional or absorbable stitches and covered with a dressing. The repaired foot is then supported in either a firm support dressing or a short leg cast.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as joint stiffness and Deep Vein Thrombosis from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake lower limb physiotherapy, walk up and down stairs and cover a gentle walking distance with crutches just a few hours after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home the day of or the day after surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally eating and drinking normally, walking unaided and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control any pain.

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances.

Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your condition after 1-2 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful the procedure has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to 6-9 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Bunion surgery?

Although Bunion surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking specialist foot surgery such as this. All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Bunion surgery in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Bunion surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert surgeon in Bunion surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating a Bunion procedure and because of their longstanding expertise in Foot surgery. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert surgeon in Bunion surgery: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com