Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?
Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?Get the factsYour options- Have bunion surgery.
- Don't have
surgery. Try other treatment for bunions.
Key points to remember- Surgery for
bunions usually isn't done unless you have already
tried other treatment and it did not relieve your pain. Other treatment
includes wearing shoes with lots of room for your toes and using pads and
supports in your shoe for protection and comfort.
- Surgery may be
right for you if your toe is too painful, if your bunion is very big, or if you
can't easily do your daily activities.
- It's not clear how well
bunion surgery works or which kind of surgery is
best. How well the surgery works depends on how bad your bunion is, the type of
surgery you have, and your surgeon's experience.
- Your expectations
will play a big role in how you feel about the results of surgery. If you want
surgery mainly to improve the way your foot looks, you may be disappointed.
FAQs A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the
joint at the base of the big toe. The big toe may turn toward the second toe. The tissues around the joint may be
swollen and tender. A bunion can hurt
and make it hard to walk. Shoes may rub on the bunion, causing pain, blisters,
calluses, or sores. You could also get
skin and bone infections around the bunion, especially if you have
diabetes or
peripheral arterial disease. If you have one of these
problems and you start to get sores, talk to your doctor. Some
people are embarrassed by how their bunion looks. There are
more than 100 surgeries for bunions. It's not clear which type of surgery is
best. Surgery needs to be tailored to your condition. More than one procedure
may be done at the same time. Types of
bunion surgery include: - Removing the part of the foot that is bulging out. This procedure is called exostectomy or
bunionectomy.
- Realigning the tissues around
the big toe joint.
- Making small cuts in the bones of the foot and moving the bones into a more
normal position.
- Removing bone from the end
of the first
metatarsal bone. Both the big toe and the metatarsal
bones are then reshaped.
- Fusing the big toe joint. The surgeon removes part of the joint so the bones join together, or
fuse.
- Fusing the joint where the metatarsal
bone joins the mid-foot.
- Implanting all or
part of an artificial joint.
It's not clear
how well surgery works or which surgery is best. How well the surgery works
depends on how bad your bunion is, the type of surgery you have, and the
surgeon's experience. How well surgery works also depends on
what you expect. After surgery, you won't be able to wear some types of shoes.
For example, you will need to avoid high heels and narrow shoes. Your toe may
be stiffer and less flexible compared to your other foot. You may
still have problems with your toe after surgery, such as: - Pain and swelling.
- A toe that is
stiffer and less flexible.
- A bunion that comes back.
- A
shorter big toe, if bone was removed during surgery.
- Numbness,
tingling, or burning in your toe from damage to the nerves.
- An
outward or upward bend in your big toe.
Other problems that can occur after
bunion surgery include: - An infection in the tissue or bone of the
foot.
- Side effects from
anesthetic or other medicines used to control pain and
swelling.
- Damage to the
tendons that pull the big toe up or
down.
- Joint disease (arthritis) or
problems with blood supply to bone tissue.
- A
callus that grows on the bottom of the foot.
Your doctor may suggest surgery if: - You have tried other treatment and it has not
worked to relieve your pain.
- You have severe pain or a severely
deformed foot that prevents you from doing your daily activities.
Compare your options | |
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What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
|---|
What are the risks and side effects? |
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Have bunion surgery
Have bunion surgery
- The procedure takes about an hour,
depending on the type of surgery. It is usually done in an outpatient
clinic.
- You may need 6 weeks to 6 months to recover from
surgery. Complete
healing may take as long as 1 year.
- You may need a walking cast or splint. After some surgeries, you
won't be able to put weight on your foot for 6 to 8 weeks.
- 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. After some types of surgeries, a cast or special shoe is used for a few months.
- Most people return to
their regular activities in about 6 to 8 weeks. But this may take longer for some people, such as runners or those who are on their feet most of the day.
- Surgery may make walking
easier.
- You should be able to return to doing your daily
activities.
- It may be easier for you to find shoes that fit.
- It may relieve your pain.
- You may have limited
toe motion.
- The bunion may come back.
- You may feel
numbness, tingling, or burning in your toe.
- You may still have pain
and swelling, especially if you don't wear roomy shoes.
- Even after
surgery, your foot may not look completely normal.
- All surgery has risks, including bleeding, nerve damage, and
infection. Your age and your health can also affect your risk.
Don't have surgery
Don't have surgery
- You wear
roomy shoes and avoid activities that put pressure on
your toe and foot.
- You use bunion pads, arch supports, or custom-made supports
(orthotics) for protection and comfort.
- To
relieve toe pain, you can try
over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or
aspirin.
- You can decide to have surgery later if you feel you need
it.
- Using other treatments may
relieve your pain, allowing you to do your daily activities.
- You avoid the cost and risks of surgery.
- You will still
have a bunion.
- Your pain and deformity may be so severe that you
can't do your daily activities.
I was really
surprised when I read that fewer people have painful bunions in parts of the
world where they don't wear shoes. I guess I didn't realize how much my choice
of shoes was affecting my foot until the pain got so bad that I asked my doctor
about it. She asked what kind of shoes I usually wear and if I had tried
wearing shoes with a lower heel and more room in the toes. I was skeptical. I
mean, women have been wearing heels for decades! But I told her I would try it
for 1 or 2 months and see what happens. I'm not much into surgery if I can
avoid it at all. The dress code at my company requires women
to wear suits, preferably with skirts and heels. Although I have switched to
the lowest possible heel with the widest toe box, my bunion is still really
painful. I can control the pain with anti-inflammatories, but the medicine irritates my stomach. I'm going to have surgery to see if I'll be able to cut
back on the medicines and have less pain. I'm an
active person. I like to run and hike. My bunion is making this difficult, but
I really don't like the idea of surgery. For the time being, I'm making changes
in my shoes. I've cut my running shoes to make room for my bunion and use pads
in my hiking boots. I've also made sure my work shoes are roomy and comfortable
so I don't make things worse. So far, this has been working. I really
enjoy my daily walks with my two dogs, but lately it has been pretty painful.
My bunion rubs on the top of my walking shoe and feels like it's going to wear
a hole right through it. I've thought about cutting a hole in the shoe, but
that doesn't seem like a reasonable option for every pair of shoes. It's
important to me to be able to keep walking comfortably, and my doctor tells me
that my type of bunion has an excellent chance of successful repair. I'm going
to have surgery. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for bunions Reasons not to have surgery I'm not very worried about the risks of bunion surgery. I'm worried about the risks of bunion surgery. More important Equally important More important I'm in pain and can't do my daily activities. My pain isn't too bad, and I'm still able to do my daily activities. More important Equally important More important I've already tried wearing roomy shoes, pads, and cushions. These treatments haven't worked. I haven't tried other treatments yet. I think they might work for me. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having bunion surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery |
|---|
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Have bunion surgery.
- Don't have
surgery. Try other treatment for bunions.
Key points to remember- Surgery for
bunions usually isn't done unless you have already
tried other treatment and it did not relieve your pain. Other treatment
includes wearing shoes with lots of room for your toes and using pads and
supports in your shoe for protection and comfort.
- Surgery may be
right for you if your toe is too painful, if your bunion is very big, or if you
can't easily do your daily activities.
- It's not clear how well
bunion surgery works or which kind of surgery is
best. How well the surgery works depends on how bad your bunion is, the type of
surgery you have, and your surgeon's experience.
- Your expectations
will play a big role in how you feel about the results of surgery. If you want
surgery mainly to improve the way your foot looks, you may be disappointed.
FAQs What is a bunion? A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the
joint at the base of the big toe. The big toe may turn toward the second toe. The tissues around the joint may be
swollen and tender. What are the risks of bunions?A bunion can hurt
and make it hard to walk. Shoes may rub on the bunion, causing pain, blisters,
calluses, or sores. You could also get
skin and bone infections around the bunion, especially if you have
diabetes or
peripheral arterial disease. If you have one of these
problems and you start to get sores, talk to your doctor. Some
people are embarrassed by how their bunion looks. What are the types of bunion surgery?There are
more than 100 surgeries for bunions. It's not clear which type of surgery is
best. Surgery needs to be tailored to your condition. More than one procedure
may be done at the same time. Types of
bunion surgery include: - Removing the part of the foot that is bulging out. This procedure is called exostectomy or
bunionectomy.
- Realigning the tissues around
the big toe joint.
- Making small cuts in the bones of the foot and moving the bones into a more
normal position.
- Removing bone from the end
of the first
metatarsal bone. Both the big toe and the metatarsal
bones are then reshaped.
- Fusing the big toe joint. The surgeon removes part of the joint so the bones join together, or
fuse.
- Fusing the joint where the metatarsal
bone joins the mid-foot.
- Implanting all or
part of an artificial joint.
How well does bunion surgery work?It's not clear
how well surgery works or which surgery is best. How well the surgery works
depends on how bad your bunion is, the type of surgery you have, and the
surgeon's experience. How well surgery works also depends on
what you expect. After surgery, you won't be able to wear some types of shoes.
For example, you will need to avoid high heels and narrow shoes. Your toe may
be stiffer and less flexible compared to your other foot. What are the risks of bunion surgery? You may
still have problems with your toe after surgery, such as: - Pain and swelling.
- A toe that is
stiffer and less flexible.
- A bunion that comes back.
- A
shorter big toe, if bone was removed during surgery.
- Numbness,
tingling, or burning in your toe from damage to the nerves.
- An
outward or upward bend in your big toe.
Other problems that can occur after
bunion surgery include: - An infection in the tissue or bone of the
foot.
- Side effects from
anesthetic or other medicines used to control pain and
swelling.
- Damage to the
tendons that pull the big toe up or
down.
- Joint disease (arthritis) or
problems with blood supply to bone tissue.
- A
callus that grows on the bottom of the foot.
Why might your doctor recommend bunion surgery?Your doctor may suggest surgery if: - You have tried other treatment and it has not
worked to relieve your pain.
- You have severe pain or a severely
deformed foot that prevents you from doing your daily activities.
2. Compare your options| | Have bunion surgery
| Don't have surgery
|
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - The procedure takes about an hour,
depending on the type of surgery. It is usually done in an outpatient
clinic.
- You may need 6 weeks to 6 months to recover from
surgery. Complete
healing may take as long as 1 year.
- You may need a walking cast or splint. After some surgeries, you
won't be able to put weight on your foot for 6 to 8 weeks.
- 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. After some types of surgeries, a cast or special shoe is used for a few months.
- Most people return to
their regular activities in about 6 to 8 weeks. But this may take longer for some people, such as runners or those who are on their feet most of the day.
| - You wear
roomy shoes and avoid activities that put pressure on
your toe and foot.
- You use bunion pads, arch supports, or custom-made supports
(orthotics) for protection and comfort.
- To
relieve toe pain, you can try
over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or
aspirin.
- You can decide to have surgery later if you feel you need
it.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - Surgery may make walking
easier.
- You should be able to return to doing your daily
activities.
- It may be easier for you to find shoes that fit.
- It may relieve your pain.
| - Using other treatments may
relieve your pain, allowing you to do your daily activities.
- You avoid the cost and risks of surgery.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - You may have limited
toe motion.
- The bunion may come back.
- You may feel
numbness, tingling, or burning in your toe.
- You may still have pain
and swelling, especially if you don't wear roomy shoes.
- Even after
surgery, your foot may not look completely normal.
- All surgery has risks, including bleeding, nerve damage, and
infection. Your age and your health can also affect your risk.
| - You will still
have a bunion.
- Your pain and deformity may be so severe that you
can't do your daily activities.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about surgery for bunions
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I was really surprised when I read that fewer people have painful bunions in parts of the world where they don't wear shoes. I guess I didn't realize how much my choice of shoes was affecting my foot until the pain got so bad that I asked my doctor about it. She asked what kind of shoes I usually wear and if I had tried wearing shoes with a lower heel and more room in the toes. I was skeptical. I mean, women have been wearing heels for decades! But I told her I would try it for 1 or 2 months and see what happens. I'm not much into surgery if I can avoid it at all." "The dress code at my company requires women to wear suits, preferably with skirts and heels. Although I have switched to the lowest possible heel with the widest toe box, my bunion is still really painful. I can control the pain with anti-inflammatories, but the medicine irritates my stomach. I'm going to have surgery to see if I'll be able to cut back on the medicines and have less pain." "I'm an active person. I like to run and hike. My bunion is making this difficult, but I really don't like the idea of surgery. For the time being, I'm making changes in my shoes. I've cut my running shoes to make room for my bunion and use pads in my hiking boots. I've also made sure my work shoes are roomy and comfortable so I don't make things worse. So far, this has been working." "I really enjoy my daily walks with my two dogs, but lately it has been pretty painful. My bunion rubs on the top of my walking shoe and feels like it's going to wear a hole right through it. I've thought about cutting a hole in the shoe, but that doesn't seem like a reasonable option for every pair of shoes. It's important to me to be able to keep walking comfortably, and my doctor tells me that my type of bunion has an excellent chance of successful repair. I'm going to have surgery." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for bunions Reasons not to have surgery I'm not very worried about the risks of bunion surgery. I'm worried about the risks of bunion surgery. More important Equally important More important I'm in pain and can't do my daily activities. My pain isn't too bad, and I'm still able to do my daily activities. More important Equally important More important I've already tried wearing roomy shoes, pads, and cushions. These treatments haven't worked. I haven't tried other treatments yet. I think they might work for me. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having bunion surgery NOT having surgery Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Is surgery the first choice for treating bunions? You're right. Surgery for bunions isn't usually done unless you've already tried other treatment and it didn't relieve your pain. Other treatment includes wearing roomy shoes and using pads and supports. 2.
Is surgery a good choice if you want it mainly to improve the way your foot looks? You're right. If you want surgery mainly to improve the way your foot looks, you may be disappointed. 3.
Is surgery right for you if you have occasional toe pain? You're right. If you have pain only now and then, surgery may not be right for you. But if your toe is too painful, if your deformity is too great, or if you can't easily do your daily activities, you might think about surgery. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery |
|---|
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
June 6, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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