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Bunion removal
Bunionectomy; Hallux valgus correction; Bunion excision; Osteotomy - bunion; Exostomy - bunion; Arthrodesis - bunion
Bunion removal is surgery to treat deformed bones of the big toe and foot. A bunion occurs when the big toe points toward the second toe, forming a bump on the inner side of the foot.
Bunion
A bunion forms when your big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.
Description
You will be given anesthesia (numbing medicine) so that you won't feel pain.
- Local anesthesia. Your foot may be numbed with pain medicine. You may also be given medicines that relax you. You will stay awake.
-
Spinal anesthesia
. This is also called regional anesthesia. The pain medicine is injected into a space in your spine. You will be awake but will not be able to feel anything below your waist.
Spinal anesthesia
Spinal and epidural anesthesia are medicines that numb parts of your body to block pain. They are given through shots in or around the spine....
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General anesthesia
. You will be asleep and pain-free.
General anesthesia
Spinal and epidural anesthesia are medicines that numb parts of your body to block pain. They are given through shots in or around the spine....
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The surgeon makes a cut around the toe joint and bones. The deformed joint and bones are repaired using pins, screws, plates, or a cast to keep the bones in place.
The surgeon may repair the bunion by:
- Making certain tendons or ligaments shorter or longer.
- Taking out the damaged part of the joints and then using screws, wires, or a plate to hold the joint together so that they can fuse.
- Shaving off the bump on the toe joint.
- Removing the damaged part of the joint.
- Cutting parts of the bones on each side of the toe joint, and then putting them in their proper position.
Why the Procedure is Performed
Your doctor may recommend this surgery if you have a bunion that has not gotten better with other treatments, such as shoes with a wider toe box. Bunion surgery corrects the deformity and relieves pain caused by the bump.
Risks
Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general include:
- Allergic reactions to medicines
-
Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Bleeding
,
blood clots
, or infection
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood. Bleeding may be:Inside the body (internally) Outside the body (externally)Bleeding may occur:Inside the body when blo...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood clots
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
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Risks for bunion surgery include:
- Numbness in the big toe
- The wound does not heal well
- The surgery does not correct the problem
- Nerve damage
- Persistent pain
- Stiffness in the toe
-
Arthritis
in the toe
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis....
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Before the Procedure
Tell your health care provider what medicines you are taking, including drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
During the week before your surgery:
- You may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve).
- Ask your provider which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
-
If you have
diabetes
, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon will ask you to see your provider who treats you for these conditions.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tell your provider if you have been drinking more than 1 or 2 servings of alcohol each day.
- If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your provider for help. Smoking can slow down wound and bone healing.
- Tell your provider if you get sick with a cold, flu, herpes infection, or other illness before your surgery.
On the day of your surgery:
- Follow instructions for not eating and drinking before the procedure.
- Take your drugs your provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
- Arrive on time at the hospital.
After the Procedure
Most people go home the same day they have bunion removal surgery.
Your provider will tell you how to take care of yourself after surgery .
Take care of yourself after surgery
Bunionectomy - discharge; Hallux valgus correction - discharge
Outlook (Prognosis)
You should have less pain after your bunion is removed and your foot has healed. You should also be able to walk and wear shoes more easily. This surgery does repair some of the deformity of your foot, but it will not give you a perfect-looking foot.
Full recovery may take 3 to 5 months.
References
Coughlin MJ, Anderson RB. Hallux valgus. In: Coughlin MJ, Saltzman CL, Anderson RB, eds. Mann's Surgery of the Foot and Ankle . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 6.
Richardson EG. Disorders of the hallux. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 81.
Review Date: 3/10/2016
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
