Bunions can be irritating, painful, and interfere with your everyday activity. Even walking and putting on shoes seem like a challenge. In case the conservative treatments have not caused bunion relief, surgery may be the second step. Be it in Lakewood or the surrounding Anaheim, knowing what goes on before and after surgery enables you to get yourself better prepared so that the recovery process becomes easier.
In Anaheim at Care Podiatry, there are skilled podiatrists who can help you. This is what you need to know before arranging your consultation.
What Is a Bunion?
A bump on your toe that grows as well as the base of your big toe is known as a bunion. It occurs due to the position of the bones under your feet in front is not correct, and the extremity of the big toe is curling into the rest of the toes. In the long run, it may lead to pain, inflammation, and inability to wear shoes.
When Should Bunion Surgery Be Performed?
At Care Podiatry, we believe that surgery is the last resort. We advise for surgery only after all forms of non-surgical treatment have been exhausted, such as custom orthotics, changing of footwear, padding, and using anti-inflammatory drugs.
You can be a candidate for surgery in case you have:
- Constant pain during walking or standing.
- Problems with comfortable shoe wearing.
- Severe toe deformity
- Loss of movement of the big toe joint.
Your podiatrist will examine your foot structure with X-rays and make the most appropriate choice as to the surgical method to use against your condition.
Before Bunion Surgery: What to Expect
The surgery and recovery are made easy only by preparation. That’s how Care Podiatry will prepare you:
1. Pre-surgical Evaluation
The services of your podiatrist will include imaging research, examination of your medical history, and discussion of any medications or conditions that may affect the healing process.
You will also get to know what type of bunion surgery, such as an osteotomy, realignment, and joint fusion, is most appropriate.
2. Custom Treatment Plan
Every bunion is unique. Care Podiatry customizes the surgery plan depending on the size of your bunion, the amount of angle that is out of position, and your lifestyle.
3. Day-of-surgery Preparation
The majority of bunion operations are outpatient and conducted under local anesthesia and with some sedation. You will have to have somebody to drive you home later.
How Bunion Surgery Works
The podiatrist, during surgery, removes or repositions this bony bump and the ligaments and tendons around it. Some of the surgical methods are:
- Osteotomy: The bone is cut and replaced back to the right position.
- Exostectomy: The bone bump is cut off.
- Arthrodesis: This is based on the fusing of the joint surfaces to make the joints motionless and painless.
The aim is to make your toe straight and still have it move naturally. The majority of the procedures require 1-2 hours, based on the complexity.
After Bunion Surgery: Recovery and Care
Immediate Post-surgery Period
You are going to walk out of the clinic with a foot bandaged and having a surgical shoe or boot. Normal swelling and slight discomfort can be cured by means of prescribed medication and using ice to treat the pain.
First Two Weeks
Keep your foot elevated as much as possible to decrease swelling. Do not put all the weight on your foot unless your doctor tells you to do so. In your initial follow-up visit, your dressing can be replaced, and you will be reviewed for your healing condition.
Weeks 3–6
You can slowly begin to walk with partial weight bearing with post -op boot / supportive shoes. Physical therapy can be initiated to restore flexibility and strength.
After 6 Weeks
The majority of the patients shift to normal shoes and resume light exercises. It requires 3 to 6 months when there is full recovery, including recovery of swelling and healing of the bone, which is determined by the type of procedure and obedience to the care recommendations.
Caring for Your Foot During Recovery
Your post-surgery success depends heavily on how well you follow home care guidelines. The team at Care Podiatry Anaheim and Care Podiatry Lakewood provides detailed instructions to help you heal effectively:
- Keep your incision dry and clean. Do not soak your foot until it is cleared by your doctor.
- Raise and ice a foot a number of times a day to soothe swelling.
- Tight or narrow shoes must be avoided even after healing. Select wide-toed supportive footwear.
- Practice stretches and exercises to build up a stretch.
- Go to all follow-up visits to track progress and avoid complications.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Feet
Care Podiatry, located in Lakewood and the nearby vicinity, combines high-quality bunion treatment with the prioritization of comfort and accuracy, and durability of the outcomes.
We have a board certified podiatrist practice, and state of the art equipment. The clinic ensures every step of your treatment is handled with personalized attention and expertise.
Stop being restricted by bunion pain. Today book your consultation at Care Podiatry and learn advanced compassionate care to help you walk comfortably, recover faster, and gain your confidence back with each step.
FAQs
When will I be able to walk again after bunion surgery?
This depends on the type of surgery undertaken, as most patients can commence partial weight-bearing within 2-4 weeks and normal walking after 6- 8 weeks.
What will happen immediately after bunion surgery?
Expect some swelling, bruising, and stiffness of the big toe. With a bandaged foot, there is a good chance that the bandaged foot will be wearing a surgical boot to protect the foot.
What is the time taken to operate on bunions?
Do you spend the night in the hospital after having a bunion surgery?
The majority of bunion surgeries are an outpatient operation, and thus, you do not have to spend the night in a hospital after anesthesia.
What is the pain level of bunion surgery?
With the help of appropriate medication and after surgery, pain is mild to moderate (usually 5 out of 10) and well controlled. The majority of the pain goes away in several days.
