What to Expect with a Bunionectomy
Bunions can be very painful if you let them go untreated. They can become larger and end up causing you pain with every single step. This can make the simplest of your daily tasks feel like a huge pain. If you have a bunion, it's important to have your feet checked by a podiatrist and treated properly. If a bunionectomy is scheduled, you should be aware of what to expect both during and after the surgery.
Read on for what you can expect if you are scheduled for a bunionectomy.
Bunionectomy Surgery
A bunion is when the bone in the large toe grows a spur on the side, protruding from the joint of the big toe, or you could get a bunion on the other side of the foot off of the pinky toe. The bunion usually forms when the side of the foot rubs in your shoes or when you wear improperly fitting shoes. Shoes that are too large, too small, or too narrow, or too tall (like high heels) can cause a bunion to form.
If you are scheduled for a bunionectomy surgery, the podiatrist will shave down the bone spur and set the toe back into proper placement if necessary. Sometimes if the bunion is too severe, it can cause the toe to begin to bend inward and can result in the other toes being squished together. Less severe bunions may not require the toe to be set back into place.
Bunionectomy Post-Surgery
After you have had your bunionectomy surgery, you will most likely be in a boot and required to stay off of your foot for a short period of time—usually two weeks. You shouldn't put pressure on this foot, so a chair, a pair of crutches, or even a scooter may be necessary. After this time, you can drive again depending on which foot had surgery. Your foot may still have some swelling, which you can ice to help reduce. This swelling may stick around for quite some time after the surgery. Depending on the surgery, you may also require physical therapy. Be sure to follow the physical therapy instructions and do your exercises at home if told to do so by your physical therapist.
If you have a bunion, be sure to seek help from local services like Chesapeake Research Group, LLC. You can get the bunion treated or removed with bunionectomy surgery. Talk to the podiatrist about what else to expect for the surgery and after the surgery as well.
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