How To Know When It's Time For Bunion Surgery And What To Expect With Surgery And Recovery
If you have a bunion, you may eventually need to have surgery for it. Surgery isn't always necessary when you have a bunion, and your podiatrist will probably try different forms of treatment first. But, at some point, surgery might be needed. Here's when surgery might be needed for your bunion and an overview of bunion surgery and recovery.
When Bunion Surgery Might Be Needed
If you still have a lot of pain and walking is difficult for you, you might need surgery to help with pain relief. Your podiatrist might make sure you're wearing the proper shoes and orthotics first, since wearing shoes that are too tight make your pain worse. Chronic pain is a quality of life issue. Plus, if it hurts when you walk, you may limit your activities and become isolated and sedentary.
A bunion can cause your toe to move out of place too. If your toe is deformed, and gradually getting worse, then surgery may be needed to straighten the toe again. Surgery might also be done if damage to the cartilage has escalated to the point where arthritis in your toe is a concern.
How Bunion Surgery Is Done
There are multiple ways to do bunion surgery. The surgery might include working on bone or just tissues. The procedure is likely to be done as an outpatient, but it's sometimes done as an inpatient. You might need general anesthesia or an ankle block. You might have pins in your toe after the surgery, or may just have stitches. Your doctor chooses the surgery method based on the condition of your toe.
What To Know About The Recovery Period
Since bunion surgery is done in different ways, there are different recovery periods. However, no matter what type of surgery you have, it could be weeks or months before you can bear your full weight on your foot. During that time, you'll need to use a walker, crutches, or cane. You might also wear a boot or shoe that holds your toe in position and protects it.
You'll probably need to take off work for a couple of weeks or longer, and your doctor should let you know the time frame so you can make plans before your surgery. Your doctor will also provide you with instructions for keeping your toe dry, changing the bandage, getting your stitches out, and resuming normal activities. It might be months before you have fully recovered, and you may need physical therapy to regain strength in your foot.
Contact a practice like Ankle & Foot Specialists of Puget Sound for more information.
