Bunion Surgery

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bump that consists of bone. It forms along the base of the big toe.

What Causes a Bunion?

A bunion arises when the big toe pushes up against the second digit. A bunion forms as a result of wearing too narrow of shoes. Narrow shoes make already existing bunions worse. Structural defects from an inherited condition, arthritis, or another similar condition may also contribute to a person developing a bunion.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bunion?

The person may experience a red bump where the joint is sticking out. The area may feel sore or become inflamed. The skin around the base of the toe can thicken. Corns or calluses are possible because of the second toe and first toe overlapping. The pain is either continuous or comes in waves. Oftentimes, the bunion restricts the patient's movement.

How is a Bunion Diagnosed?

The patient can self-diagnose a bunion since it tends to cause a physical deformity of the toe. The physician will examine the toe and determine if a bunion is present. He may evaluate the range of motion by examining how the toe moves. The diagnostic process requires no further testing in many cases. However, an x-ray may determine the cause as well as the severity of it.

How Is a Bunion Corrected?

Cases that require treatment include when there's foot or toe pain, a visible bump around the joint area, limited movement in the big toe, or the bunion is large enough to affect finding a properly fitting pair of shoes. Some don't require any treatment other than switching to a better fitting pair of shoes. Taping or splinting the toes is another option. At-home treatments like over-the-counter pain relievers reduce pain and inflammation. Ice alleviates some of the inflammation. The bunion may require surgical removal if it poses too much of a problem. The surgery may either remove the swollen tissue or straighten the big toe by removing part of the bone. Realigning the bone or permanently joining the bones may work as well, but the best course of action depends on the patient's condition.

What's Surgical Recovery Like?

Usually, the patient is able to walk on the toe the following day, but a full recovery takes weeks to months, no matter which surgery the person undergoes.