Usually More than Just a Bump
A bunion is one of the most common reasons patient’s seek treatment with an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. While many patients just see a bump on the side of the big toe, the true pathology is often far more complex. The development of a bunion involves both genetic and social factors and, in some instances, also involves a traumatic component. It is a three-dimensional pathology where the first metatarsal rotates and pushes outwardly causing pain on both the medial or inside part of the great toe as well as underneath the ball of the foot.
When Conservative Options Aren’t Enough
Nonsurgical management of bunions typically involves anti-inflammatories for pain and shoe modifications and toe spacers. Unfortunately, despite many attempts and options on the market, there is no defined conservative approach to fully correct the bunion. Bunion correction will frequently require a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon to address both the bone and the ligament surrounding the great toe. Each patient’s bunion is addressed on an individual manner, and Dr. Flynn takes the patient’s full history and physical examination into account when deciding on the correct course of action.
What Recovery Looks Like
After bunion surgery, patients frequently need to be completely non-weightbearing for a period of time and then may begin to place weight on their heel. Around 6 weeks after surgery, if the patient is healing appropriately, weightbearing may be advanced in a postoperative boot. Due to swelling and bone healing, it often takes 10 to 12 weeks for a patient to fully return to a regular shoe. A decision for physical therapy after bunion correction is a discussion between the surgeon and the patient, with the vast majority of patients desiring a short course of PT.
Timing Is Everything
As with many foot and ankle surgeries, a bunion correction may take 6 to 12 months for full recovery. Dr. Flynn does not advise addressing both feet at the same time but rather spacing surgeries out at least 6 months if both feet are affected. His philosophy is that “you need one good foot to stand on” when you recover from surgery.
