If you are considering bunion surgery, you should know that many things will affect the procedure. Your age, lifestyle, health, and activity level must be taken into consideration for the best course of treatment, and you and your doctor should carefully choose the procedure that is right for you.
Your bunion surgery in Philadelphia may include:
- Anesthesia. Patients who worry about being “put under” for a surgery should know that bunion procedures are typically done with local anesthesia, so you will likely be awake for it.
- Bunionectomy. If the deformity is large, surgeons may choose to remove the entire bunion, relieving your pain and allowing your foot to return to its proper size.
- Realignment. In order to reduce the chances of the bunion coming back, your surgeon may attempt to return the big toe to its proper position. This may involve shortening tendons and ligaments to realign the big toe joint.
- Straightening the toes. Once the big toe is in place, your surgeon will decide whether to bring the other toes into position (some toes may naturally shift back after the bunion is removed).
- Recovery. Patients will typically need 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time. Their foot may be placed in a cast or stabilized with external pins or screws, and the patient will need crutches to walk.
Unfortunately, many patients will undergo surgery only to experience another bunion in the future. Our Philadelphia podiatrists at HealthMark Foot & Ankle Associates take a full-body approach to treating bunions, helping you reduce your chances of suffering this painful condition twice.
Call our Media office at 610-565-3668 or our Phoenixville office at 610-933-8644 to set up your first consultation, or click the link on this page to receive a FREE copy of our book, The Foot is Not an Island: Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency & How to Correct It.