Bunions

• Footwear advice
  
• Bunion Splint
  

I'VE BEEN TOLD TO LEAVE MY BUNIONS UNTREATED, IS THIS GOOD ADVICE?
One of the biggest problems in not treating bunions is that they almost always get worse with time. While the bunion is progressing the joint can become further damaged a bit like driving a care when the wheel is out of alignment leading to the car tyre wearing down on one side.

WHY DOES IT MATTER IF MY BUNIONS BECOME WORSE?
Well one of the problems is that the bunion may become so bad that a more complicated operation may become necessary and this increases your recovery time. With my technique you are normally back into normal shoes within three weeks or so and you can place weight on your heel straight-away.

DO BUNIONS ALWAYS COME BACK AFTER SURGERY?
In my experience it is very rare for a bunion to come back. This can occur in young children but as I say it is uncommon in adults. What we do know is that if you leave the bunion untreated it will most likely get worse and cause other problems.

CAN BUNION SURGERY BE PERFORMED UNDER LOCAL ANAESTHETIC?
Yes most patients can decide to have their bunion surgery under local anaesthetic if they wish. Alternatively we can offer sedation with local or a light general anaesthetic with local in combination. This is something I would discuss with my patients during the preoperative meeting.

ARE PATIENTS IN AGONY AFTER SURGERY?
Understandably many patients are concerned they may have terrible pain after surgery, no doubt fuelled by the stories from their friends and family. In truth with my patients bunion surgery should not be a major problem because we take measures to reduce this right from the time you arrive at the hospital for your bunion operation.

AFTER BUNION SURGERY, DO I HAVE TO BE IN A CAST?
Nowadays very few patients will require a leg cast after foot surgery. The exception would be if you had left your bunion too long and you required a more complicated surgery like a Lapidus type operation.

DO PATIENTS REQUIRE CRUTCHES AFTER SURGERY?
Yes, we will provide you with a postoperative shoe and crutches for you to use after surgery. One of my team will show you how to use your crutches safely.

CAN I GO HOME AFTER BUNION CORRECTION SURGERY?
Yes, all bunion surgery is carried out as a Day Case procedure nowadays and so you are able to go home afterwards.

HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AFTER BUNION SURGERY?
Most patients can drive within four weeks of their operation.

WILL I BE GIVEN INFORMATION BEFORE AN OPERATION?
Yes, in fact you can download from my web site if you want to, just click on the downloads tab at the top of the page. I believe it is really important patients are well-informed before they go ahead with surgery. Click here to go to my page of downloadable information.

DO BUNIONS RUN RUN IN FAMILIES?
Bunions (Hallux Valgus) are common conditions without a clear pattern of inheritance, although they are more common in females than males. This may represent an environmental element rather than genetic. Many affected individuals have multiple family members who are also affected suggesting an inheritable tendency The risk of developing bunions is greater for first-degree relatives of affected individuals (such as siblings or children) as compared to the general public.