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Bunionectomy Complication

Also known as a first metatarsal osteotomy, a procedure to remove a bunion is designed to eliminate the pain and discomfort when walking that can occur with a bunion. During the procedure, a bone is cut and repositioned, sometimes held in place with a pin or other device designed to promote stability. As with any surgery that alters the bone's structure, a bunionectomy has both risks and complications that can occur post-surgery.

  1. Infection

    • Whether at the surgical site or where the incision is sewn, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection following surgery. For those after bunion surgery, symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, drainage from the surgical site and fever. While most surgeons will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection, medical treatment shoud be sought if a patient experiences any symptoms. Keeping the dressing dry and clean can reduce a patient's infection risk.

    Stiffness

    • While the surgery is aimed at altering the bone to prevent pain, some residual stiffness may occur in the toe. This can be attributed to pins or plates that are inserted into the bone, which may require an adjustment period for the patient.

    Recurrence

    • Because surgery corrects only the deformity itself, not the deformity's cause, it is possible that a bunion will regrow. This can be slowed or corrected using specially made orthotics, which aim to correct a deformity's cause. Also, the devices used to correct the bunion can sometimes become misaligned, which results in recurrence as well. A physician can recommend an X-ray to discover if this is the case.

    Sympathetically Mediated Pain Syndrome

    • The sympathetic nerves align with the blood vessels in the feet and may be temporarily or permanently damaged during the procedure. This causes pain that is not proportional with the typical recovery pain associated with the procedure. Even if the bone was removed and the foot re-aligned perfectly, this pain can still occur and possibly last the rest of the patient's life.

    Swelling

    • While it is common to experience some swelling following surgery, swelling can set off a cycle of pain and inflammation. For example, swelling at the surgical site causes pain, which then results in inflammation that can result in more swelling and pain. For this reason, if swelling does occur, a patient should work with his doctor to utilize swelling reduction methods, such as taking anti-inflammatories, icing the area or propping the foot up.

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