Surgical realignment of a bunion, also known as osteotomy, is
an orthopedic procedure used to realign the toe joint in patients who have severe bunions
. During surgery, your big toe and foot bones are straightened, and the joint that creates the bunion is positioned in position under the big toe.
What is an osteotomy of the foot?
A foot osteotomy is
surgery to remove parts of a bone in your foot
. The bone is reshaped to relieve pressure from deformity or injury. Some examples include a fracture, bunion, hammer toe, or flat foot.
How long should you stay off your feet after bunion surgery?
You should keep your foot dry and stay off your feet for
3 to 5 days
after your surgery. You should use a walker, cane, knee scooter or crutches to get around. Follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly for any medications you have been given after surgery. You should expect swelling and some pain after surgery.
Why is bunion surgery so painful?
Many times this pain happens after bunion surgery because
the bone for the great toe was shortened a little too much during the correction of the bunion
. The shape of the foot is changed and the patient’s weight moves over to the next toes during walking.
What kind of surgery is a bunionectomy?
Bunion removal is a
surgical procedure that corrects a deformed area of the foot near the big toe
. Bunion removal is sometimes called a bunionectomy, bunion surgery, or hallux valgus correction. Hallux valgus is a Latin phrase that means “foot deformity.”
How painful is an osteotomy?
The site of the surgery will be very sore
. Plus, to allow your bone to heal, you shouldn’t put any pressure on it right away. For instance, if you have a knee or pelvic (hip) osteotomy, you won’t be able to walk for several months. You’ll need to use crutches.
How long does foot osteotomy surgery take?
The surgery takes
about 60 minutes
. You will likely go home the same day.
What happens if you walk too soon after bunion surgery?
In MacGill’s clinical experience, patients who put weight on the foot too early can
increase postoperative pain and swelling
, as well as risk loss of correction and possible delayed bone healing, he said.
Can I take my boot off to sleep after bunion surgery?
You will receive a soft bunion splint that you should use 23 hours a day. If comfortable,
you can sleep only with the splint
, and without the shoe.
What happens at 6 weeks after bunion surgery?
You will
have pain and swelling that slowly improves
in the 6 weeks after surgery. You may have some minor pain and swelling that lasts as long as 6 months to a year. After surgery, you will need to wear a cast or a special type of shoe to protect your toe and to keep it in the right position for at least 3 to 6 weeks.
Is tailor’s bunion surgery worth it?
In general, surgery for bunions is
only recommended
when pain from the bunion prevents a patient from wearing normal shoes and performing their normal daily activities. If your bunions only hurt when you are wearing pointy toed, high heeled shoes; surgery is not your best option.
Is it worth it to have bunion surgery?
Bunion surgery is highly successful in a majority of cases
, but as with any type of surgical procedure, there are risks involved with bunion surgery. Although complications occur infrequently and are often treatable, it is worth considering the risks and discussing them with your surgeon before committing to surgery.
How many hours does bunion surgery take?
Your surgeon places stitches and bandages on your toe to help the area heal properly. The whole process can take anywhere from
45 min to 3 hours
depending on the severity of the bunion and what needs to be performed to correct it.
Do screws stay in after bunion surgery?
The screw head is approx 2-3mm above the bone, so that small area can create swelling and discomfort to the top of the foot. Furthermore, extremely active patients can force that screw to work its way up out of the bone.
The screw does not have to be removed, unless it causes discomfort
.
Do bunions grow back after surgery?
When bunions become severe, painful, or interfere with walking, surgery can be performed to realign the bones. Unfortunately, for many patients,
bunions gradually return after surgery —
previous studies have reported recurrence rates of up to 25 percent.
Do they put you to sleep for bunion surgery?
Most bunion surgery is performed
under ankle block anesthesia
, in which your foot is numb, but you are awake. Occasionally, general or spinal anesthesia is used.
