Bunion Surgery

Surgery Overview

Bunion, Opens dialog surgery most often involves an incision in the top or side of the big toe joint and the removal or realignment of soft tissue and bone. This is done to relieve pain and restore normal alignment to the joint. Small wires, screws, or plates may be used to hold the bones in place. There are no guarantees that a bunion surgery will fully relieve your pain.

  • A regional anesthetic, Opens dialog that affects only the foot is commonly used for bunion surgery. A sedative, Opens dialog may also be used during the procedure.
  • The procedure usually takes an hour or more, depending on the type of surgery.
  • Bunion repairs usually don't require an overnight stay in the hospital.

There are more than 100 surgeries for bunions. Research doesn't show what is best. The surgery you get needs to be specific to your bunion. More than one procedure may be done at the same time.

Types of bunion surgery

There are more than 100 surgeries for bunions. Research doesn't show which type of surgery is best. Your surgery needs to be specific to your condition. More than one procedure may be done at the same time. Surgeries include:

  • Removal of part of the metatarsal head. (It's the part of the foot that is bulging out.) This procedure is called exostectomy or bunionectomy.
  • Realignment of the soft tissues (ligaments, Opens dialog) around the big toe joint.
  • Making small cuts in the bones (osteotomy) and moving the bones into a more normal position.
  • Removal of bone from the end of the first metatarsal, Opens dialog bone, which joins with the base of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). At the metatarsophalangeal joint, both the big toe and metatarsal bones are reshaped (resection arthroplasty).
  • Fusion (arthrodesis, Opens dialog) of the big toe joint.
  • Fusion of the joint where the metatarsal bone joins the mid-foot (Lapidus procedure).
  • Implant insertion of all or part of an artificial joint.
Information about Bunion Surgery

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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