All About Bunion Surgery
Undergoing any surgery is never an easy choice. Typically, your doctor exhausts all conservative measures before laying the option of surgery on the table. The ultimate goal of any surgical procedure is to relieve your discomfort and pain for the long run.
For conditions like bunions, surgery is often the final step in a series of relief efforts. Bunions are caused when your big toe joint shifts out of alignment pointing the toe inwards towards the other toes. If treatment is administered early, the bunion can be stifled, or at least slowed. Wide-toed shoes, regular stretches, icing, and custom orthotics are common treatments in the early stages.
Why would I need surgery?
However, if no conservative treatments do the trick, surgery might be the only option to correct the issue and prevent any further pain. You’re also a candidate for bunion surgery if you have:
- Pain that prevents you from performing day-to-day activities
- Bunions developing on your other toes
- Difficulty walking or putting on your shoes
- Stiffness in your toe joints
Types of bunion surgery
Bunion surgery corrects toe alignment and helps to alleviate pain from the foot. There are many types of surgery:
- Osteotomy – making small cuts into the bones
- Arthrodesis or Lapidus procedures – fusing toe joints using hardware
- Exostectomy – removing the building area of the big toe joint
- Resection arthroplasty – removing the damaged end of the joint and reshaping both ends
- Utilizing an artificial joint
Having a good relationship with your podiatrist is an important part of a successful surgery. Recovery from even minor surgeries can take months to heal and require lots of rest and care. Occasionally, physical therapy regiments will be necessary, so having a great podiatrist who you trust will greatly affect the surgery and the healing process.
Dr. Stuart Snyder here at Maple Springs Foot Center is available to help guide your decisions leading to surgery or any other foot or ankle issue you’re dealing with. Dr. Snyder utilizes innovative techniques and state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat a myriad of issues. To get in touch, request an appointment online or call our office conveniently located in Gaithersburg, MD at 301-762-3338.
