Bunionectomy

What is foot and ankle pain, and how are they treated?

Bunions have caused many to feel severe foot pain, making it difficult for them to walk. Many wonder if there is a way to relieve pain in their big toe and restore their quality of life. Perhaps you’ve wondered that as well. Thankfully, there is!

It’s by means of a procedure called a bunionectomy. At OrthoNeuro, our highly trained podiatrist and our board-certified foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons are experts when it comes to performing bunion surgery.

Throughout the years, we have helped thousands return to an active lifestyle. If you are experiencing pain, we would love to have the privilege of assisting you.

Contact one of our offices in the Greater Columbus area today!

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion (also known as a hallux valgus or metatarsus primus varus) is a visible bony bump that can be located on the side of your big toe joint.

It is not a growth that develops. The first metatarsal bone moves toward the inside of your foot and the great toe then moves in the opposite direction compensatorily.

What Is a Bunionectomy?

A bunionectomy (also called bunion surgery) is a surgical outpatient procedure designed to remove a bunion.

The focus and goal of a bunionectomy are to address the bony deformity in your big toe and realign it back to its anatomically correct position.

What Causes Bunions?

Many internal and external factors can cause bunions to develop, including:

The genetic mechanical makeup and structure of your foot (a progressive arch collapse or a genetic predisposition to the deformity)
Injury
Inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis

How Are Bunions Diagnosed and Treated?

To properly diagnose whether you have developed a bunion on your big toe, your orthopedic surgeon will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination.

This examination will assess the extent of misalignment and damage to your soft tissues. X-rays may also be needed to see the full extent of the deformity of your toe joint.

Conservative treatment options include shoe modifications, occasionally orthotics or toe pads.

If you have failed conservative options, then surgical correction becomes the last available option to alleviate your symptoms.

At OrthoNeuro, a bunionectomy procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that you can return home the same day as your procedure.

We understand that each individual has a different genetic makeup and level of severity when it comes to the condition of their bunion, so we offer several approaches to this surgical procedure.

However, all bunion surgeries share the same common goals, which are to:

Correct the deformity
Realign your joint
Provide pain relief

Before initiating your surgical procedure, your specialist will discuss the available treatment options and tailor a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Types of Bunionectomy Surgery

The various types of bunionectomy can be found below:

Osteotomy

This is a common minimally-invasive bunion surgery in which minor surgical cuts will be made to shape the bone and realign the joint. Then, screws and metal plates are used to hold the bone and joint in place to allow the bones to heal in the new position.

Exostectomy

An exostectomy is performed to remove minor bony bumps over the joint. While the use of this procedure is rare, it would be in conjunction with a more extensive procedure, such as an osteotomy or fusion.

Lapidus Procedure

This procedure treats bunions caused by excess motion at the joint above the big toe joint. It realigns the rotational and angular deformity of the 1st metatarsal by fusing the joint above the big toe and realigns the toe by correcting those deformities.

Arthrodesis

This procedure is used to treat severe bunions and severe arthritis by fusing the big toe joint bones together to hold them in the correct position and alleviate pain.

Bunionectomy Recovery and Post-Operative Care

To aid in your recovery process, you may be offered a variety of medications to ease your pain. Your foot may be placed in a splint, in a boot, or in specialized shoes to keep it stabilized.

Additionally, your surgeon will provide the necessary instructions for you to follow.

Standard postoperative instructions include the following:

Keep your foot elevated.
Avoid walking or bearing weight on the affected foot. Crutches will be provided for you to use for several weeks.

After the bones have healed, exercise and physical therapy will be recommended. Physical therapy will aid in increasing your strength and restoring the range of motion in your foot.

Benefits of Bunionectomy:

If you are considering having a bunionectomy, you may want to know how it can benefit you. Some of these benefits include:

Corrected deformity with a minimal chance of it returning depending on the procedure
Relief from pressure and bunion pain
Your big toe will be in alignment with the rest of your foot
After recovery, you can return to wearing normal shoes
Improved balance
Improved foot strength
Returning to normal activities with less or no pain

Bunion removal can alleviate foot pain and help you return to an active lifestyle. If bunion removal sounds like the treatment you have been searching for, schedule an appointment today at one of our OrthoNeuro offices conveniently located in Columbus, Ohio.

Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Specialist Today!

If you have been considering a bunionectomy, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus.

Best of all, most patients can be seen within 24 hours of making an appointment.

Foot, Ankle, and Podiatry Specialists

IF YOU HAVE AN ACUTE INJURY OR LIVE WITH CHRONIC FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN IN CALL ORTHONEURO TODAY OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR EXPERT FOOT AND ANKLE CARE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.