Bunion Surgery
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe and can be very painful when walking. Bunions sometimes develop over a period of years in people who wear shoes that fit too tightly around the toes. They can also result from arthritis. There may be a genetic component as well.
Your doctor may recommend bunion surgery if other ways to cope with bunion pain, such as wearing wide-toed shoes and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), haven’t worked.
Bunion surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Rather than general anesthetic, you will probably get a local anesthetic that completely numbs your ankle but leaves you awake during the surgery. Your surgeon will remove the bunion, and depending on the severity of your condition, may also need to realign bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
Full recovery after surgery can be lengthy, taking up to six months for some patients.
Your Specialty Surgery Center physician will discuss the specifics of the procedure you need and answer any questions you may have before your scheduled surgery date.