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If you have been diagnosed with bunions, you may require surgery if no other treatment option is providing relief from your pain.
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Bunion Surgery Is a surgical procedure right for you?
Overview • Bunions are a common foot condition impacting more than 3 million Americans every year • In a lot of cases, bunions may be self-diagnosed but they should be treated by a podiatrist near you • Bunions are a chronic condition that could last a few years or be a lifelong issue • Bunions may progressively get worse over time and surgery may be the only option for relief
What Are Bunions? • Bunions are described as a bony protrusion on your big toe joint • It occurs when your big toe pushes against your second toe, resulting in your big toe joint growing larger and protruding from your foot • It is possible to also develop smaller bunions, known as bunionette, on your little toe joint • Bunions may be painful and you may notice swelling or redness around your toe joint
What Causes Bunions and Bunion Pain? • Bunions and the related symptoms may be caused by a few different factors including: • Your foot structure • Arthritis • Footwear that doesn’t fit correctly • Prolonged stress on your foot
Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment Options • Before your podiatrist suggests surgery to treat your bunions, you should first try some non-surgical options for pain relief • New footwear – Buy shoes that have more space for your toes • Taping or splinting – Your podiatrist can tape or splint your foot in its normal position • Pain Medication & Injections – Certain medications and even cortisone injections can help you manage the pain of bunions • Special shoe inserts - The right shoe inserts can reduce your symptoms by evenly disturbing pressure as you move your feet
Determining if Surgery is Right for You • Bunions that aren’t causing significant pain likely won’t require surgery • Preventive care and non-invasive methods will be exhausted first before going under the knife • Surgery is recommended for bunions causing severe pain or inflammation, limiting daily activities, or if you have a deformity in your toes • Surgery will not be performed for cosmetic reasons
Bunion Surgery – Overview of Procedures • Arthrodesis • Procedure involves removal of the surface of your affected toe joint and insertion of specialized hardware to keep your bones in place as you heal • Recommended for severe cases or for people who have had unsuccessful bunion surgeries in the past • Resection Arthroplasty • Damaged portion of toe joint is removed by surgeon, leaving more space between the bones in your toes • This procedure is mostly performed on elderly patients
Bunion Surgery – Overview of Procedures (continued) • Exostectomy • Procedure where bony bump is removed from your affected toe joint • Normally performed with other corrective procedures • Osteotomy • After bump has been removed, this procedure is done to realign your toe joint by making tiny cuts in your bone • The bones heal by inserting specialized hardware to keep your joint balanced while straightening your bones