How to Prepare for Bunion Surgery

If you have bunions--an abnormality of joint near your big toe that causes the joint to enlarge--you already know there are many ways to treat this foot condition (Mayo Clinic, see Resources). If conservative treatments such as pain relievers, new shoes and shoe inserts are not helping you return to your normal activities, you may need to consider having surgery to correct the problem. As with any other kind of invasive treatment, bunion surgery is a serious matter, requiring preparation on your part before the big day.

Things You'll Need

• Physical exam
• List of medications
• Blood tests
• X-rays

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Instructions

• 1

  Bring a list of the medications you are taking to your orthopedist's or podiatrist's appointment that you will have scheduled before the surgery. At this time, your doctor will examine you and discuss whether there are medications (such as blood thinners, for example) you will need to stop taking before your bunion surgery.

• 2

  Have blood tests done to prepare for bunion surgery. Testing for your blood type in case you need extra blood during surgery may be done. A routine work-up may be ordered to measure your blood cholesterol and any other factors that could possibly increase your risk factors of complications during surgery.

• 3

  Submit to a variety of X-rays before you go in for bunion surgery. You will have X-rays of your feet so that your surgeon will know how extensive the structural damage is to your joints and toes, as explained by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS (see Resources). Your doctor may also order a chest X-ray to rule out any underlying problems before your procedure.

• 4

  Arrive at the medical facility well advance of your procedure, usually between 1 and 2 hours early. Bunion surgery is considered an outpatient procedure, though you will have anesthesia called an ankle block during this time. You will meet with an anesthesiologist to discuss the particulars of administering the numbing agent.