Up to one in three American adults has bunion deformities. A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of your big toe, and it can grow so large that it interferes with your ability to wear shoes and move your toes normally.
Bunions start small, and having a bunion doesn’t automatically mean you need surgery. In fact, there are lots of nonsurgical treatment options to try first.
However, conservative care doesn’t work for everyone. Lisa Burson, DPM and Joe Aoun, DPM provide comprehensive bunion care at The Foot & Ankle Specialists, and we’re here to help you decide if bunion surgery is right for you.
Bunion surgery is the only way to remove a bunion. However, it’s an advanced surgical procedure, and we generally don’t recommend it for mild bunions or bunions that aren’t causing pain.
If you have a severe bunion that’s causing you worsening pain, you might be wondering if surgery is your best option. Here are some signs that it’s time to consider bunion surgery.
In general, we take a conservative approach to care. That means we often prescribe nonsurgical treatment first to see if it improves your condition.
Dr. Lisa Burson and Dr. Joe Aoun may recommend treatment that includes padding your bunion, wearing orthotics, or icing the joint to relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory medication and joint injections can also be effective for more severe pain.
Conservative care can make a big difference and keep bunions from getting worse. But if you’ve exhausted your nonsurgical bunion treatment options and you’re still suffering, surgery might be necessary.
Bunions start small, but they grow over time. If a bunion is left untreated long enough, eventually it can cause a significant toe deformity, along with chronic inflammation and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest.
If you have a significantly deformed big toe joint, your big toe can drift toward your other toes and cause complications. You might also lose the ability to bend and straighten your big toe. In these cases, surgery could be your best option to remove damage and restore mobility to your toe.
Bunions are often painful, particularly if you spend a lot of time on your feet or you wear tight shoes. However, most people find that bunion pain improves with rest or other treatments, like icing or orthotics.
When your bunion pain keeps you from your daily activities — and it doesn’t get better with rest — it could be time to consider surgery. Severe bunion pain can also radiate from your toe to the rest of your foot.
If Dr. Lisa Burson and Dr. Joe Aoun recommend surgery for your bunions, we talk with you about your surgical options. We evaluate the severity of your bunion and create a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms.
Bunion surgery is customizable, and it can include:
Before choosing bunion surgery, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Surgery can effectively reduce pain and minimize joint deformity, but recovery can take up to 12 weeks.
To get personalized treatment for your bunion, book a consultation at The Foot & Ankle Specialists. Call the office nearest you, or request your first appointment online today.
