Is Bunion Surgery Necessary?

Bunions are a deformity of the big toe. Bunion problems develop as a result of hallux valgus, which means outward toe. A bunion, or a bump made of bone and soft tissue, develops when the big toe is turned outward and the bone juts out on the inside border of the foot. Bunions can be treated surgically, but often this is a last resort.

Is Surgery Necessary

• The vast majority of bunions can be treated surgically. Most orthopedic surgeons do not consider surgery necessary, except as a last resort when other treatment methods and prevention has failed. Before scheduling bunion surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will generally discuss your symptoms and present you with alternative treatment plans or other options to resolve the bunion. Furthermore, prior to getting bunion surgery, it is essential to understand the surgeries purpose and likely results in order to determine if it is a necessary procedure for you.

Should You Get Bunion Surgery

• Bunion surgery may be necessary in certain specific circumstances. "Your Orthopedic Connection" recommends bunion surgery for those who experience pain severe enough to limit normal activity, such as wearing normal shoes or walking short distances. Those with a toe deformity in which the big toe drifts toward the small toes, or chronic toe inflammation that is not responsive to medication and persists when you rest, may also benefit from bunion surgery. Finally, those who have pain that can't be managed or treated by NSAID's (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) may also be good candidates for bunion surgery.

Evaluation for Surgery

• Prior to recommending bunion surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will usually take a full medical history, including a physical. Your physician may discuss other potential conditions you have that could affect the surgery, and will want to discuss other options that have failed at treating the bunion. The surgeon also will take x-rays of the foot to determine the extent of the deformity and decide whether you are a good candidate for bunion surgery.

Results of Surgery

• Approximately 85 to 90 percent of those who undergo bunion surgery are satisfied with the results. However, in determining whether the surgery is necessary, it is important to understand your expectations. Bunion surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, and it will not make the foot look normal. It will not allow you to wear smaller or different shoes, and in fact special shoes may be needed following the surgery to ensure the bunion does not return. The purpose of the surgery is to relieve pain caused by the bunion, and any other expectations will likely not be met.

Alternatives to Surgery

• Other treatment methods are recommended prior to surgery and can help avoid surgery. The main method of treating and preventing bunions is to wear proper shoes that are sized appropriately. Shoes should be chosen that confirm to the shape of the foot. Feet should be regularly measured and shoes should not be chosen just by brand size but by how they actually fit. Both feet should be measured individually, because sometimes feet are different sizes. You should also stand while your feet are being measured and have them measured at the end of the day when feet are usually larger or more swollen. By wearing properly sized shoes to avoid bunions and resting the foot to resolve pre-existing bunions, surgery can often be avoided.