When Is A Surgery Indicated For A Bunion?

By Author: Foot Surgeon London
Total Articles: 80
Comment this article

Have you noticed a big bony bump outside your big toe? In science, this is referred to as bunions or hallux valgus. It’s a type of foot deformity that develops from excessive pressure on the metatarsophalangeal or MTP joint (the joint that links the big toe and the foot). In some cases, a foot surgeon London may advise you to undergo surgery to treat this condition.

But which specific situation does call for surgery? Read on to find out.

Causes and Symptoms

Bunions are characterised by a red, swollen, and turnip-like bump. An Ankle specialist London points to these things as the common reasons behind it:

Foot structure (some feet are shaped in a way that the big toe bends in toward the second toe)

Foot mechanics or the way you walk

This deformity develops over time. If you have issues with your foot mechanics or structure — and you tend to wear narrow or ill-fitting footwear or stand for a long time — then you will experience greater pain from bunions.

You’re also more at risk of getting bunions if you previously had foot injuries or if you have rheumatoid arthritis among ...
... other inflammatory diseases.

Apart from the bump itself, you also have to pay attention to these other symptoms:

Numbness in your big toe

Painful toe tendons and joints

Thickened skin (i.e. Calluses and corns)

Difficulty in bending your big toe

Treatment

If you suspect yourself of having a bunion, you have to seek a proper diagnosis from a foot surgeon or an ankle specialist London. On your initial consultation, expect them to have your affected foot X-rayed. This will help them assess if you have any other foot problems like bone misalignment.

They will also ask you about your medical history. If your family has a history of bunions due to foot structure, then you’re more likely to have the same foot deformity.

After the other possible causes are ruled out, your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

Bunion pads and tapes

Physical therapy

Change in footwear

Steroid injections and pain relievers

The Need for Surgery

When all the options above do not treat your bunion, that’s when the foot surgeon London will advise you to go under the knife. There are cases when these less-invasive solutions won’t fully address your foot deformity and worse, the swelling can even be more and more severe and painful.

If you don’t undergo surgery, it may lead to complications such as bursitis (the inflammation of the fluid-filled pads found underneath the bones near your joints) and metatarsalgia (swelling in the ball of your foot).

The type of surgery will depend on how mild or severe your bunion is. If you have a mild bunion, the surgeon will only have to cut the bony bump and correct the bone alignment. If it’s a more severe case, then the bone nearer to the centre of your foot will also be cut.

In worse situations — wherein you already have developed arthritis due to this foot deformity — the foot surgeon London would have to remove the damaged bone tissue found in your bunion. They may also opt to fuse two bones together.