Changing
your footwear can sometimes be helpful. If all other options fail,
surgery remains the only solution to get rid of this foot pain once and
for all.
If
you are decided on a bunion surgery, make sure you have gathered enough
information about the procedure. Given below are a few such basic
details you should know before the surgery.
Suitability for bunion surgery
Age
is not really a serious issue for this foot surgery. Anyone can undergo
this operation, provided they are in good health. The following foot
conditions indicate strongly the surgical option:
- Difficulty while walking or carrying out regular activities
- Pain while wearing shoes
- Inability to move the big toe properly
- Constant swelling of the big toe
- Failure of anti-inflammatory drugs in providing relief
- Bending of the big toe towards the other toes in severe cases
Preparing for the surgery
The
first step to bunion surgery is a proper consultation with an
experienced podiatrist, who has already conducted successfully several
such operations. You should provide the surgeon with your medical
history, giving critical health information, if any, of diabetes, heart
or lung disease, allergies etc.
The
doctor may ask you to do a few clinical tests like X-ray,
electrocardiogram, and routine blood tests. Inform the podiatrist about
the medicines you take. Usually the doctor instructs you how to get
prepared before the day of surgery.
Risk factors
Just
like any surgery, bunion operation has its share of risks too. You may
have prolonged toe pain/irritation, which arises due to insertion of
hardware during the surgical procedure.
The
operation may leave you with complications such as over/under
correction, stiffness of the big toe joint, prolonged swelling/infection
and nerve problems. Moreover, the most disheartening point is that
bunion tends to recur after a few years in spite of a successful
surgery.
Recovery after the surgery
Generally,
the recovery time varies from two to six weeks or even more. If you
expect that your foot would retain its prior-to-surgery scarless look,
then you will not be happy with the outcome! Mostly the operation leaves
you with an unpleasant bump on the side of your toe, which is not easy
to hide. In addition, you will suffer some discomfort or other after the
surgery.
A
detailed discussion with the foot specialist is necessary for you to be
fully aware of what it means to undergo a bunion surgery, and to have a
realistic expectation about its outcome. Clarify with the podiatrist
all the issues that keep worrying you, get satisfactory answers, and
then only should you decide on and proceed with the surgical procedure.
