Bunions can be extremely painful and get in the way of your everyday life. You may have recurring bunions, and surgery can help in alleviating the tension, pain, and possibly the cause of your bunions. Our ankle specialist in West Milford explains more about bunion surgery below.
What Are Bunions?
Bunions are painful bumps that form on the joint of the big toe. They are generally caused by the inherent structure of your toe joint and wearing shoes that are too tight. Bunions cause swelling, redness, pain, and calluses around the affected joint.
Bunion Removal
Surgery can be performed to remove a bunion. The goal of the surgery is to remove the pressure on the joint and restore proper foot alignment. There are a few different methods for bunion surgery, depending on the root cause of the bunion:
- Tendon repair. If the cause of the bunion is tight ligaments or tendons, these can be loosened to relieve tension.
- Exostectomy. This simply means removing the bony bump from the outside of the joint.
- Osteotomy. This involves using plates and wires to hold the toe straight and prevent further bunions from forming.
Our podiatrist will determine which option is best for you.
Aftercare & Prevention
After surgery, it is recommended that you rest, ice, and elevate your foot. It may also be beneficial to wear a surgical boot until your toe has fully healed. In certain cases, physical therapy may be recommended for rehabilitation exercises for recovery.
It can be difficult to prevent bunions. However, if you are prone to developing bunions, there are measures you can take to avoid making them worse or having them return. Wear shoes with a wide toe box to ensure there is plenty of room for your feet to move as you walk.
Contact Our Ankle Specialist in West Milford Today To Learn More!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about hammertoes and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Wayne Foot & Ankle Center, with a convenient podiatry office in West Milford by calling 973.524.7013 or by clicking here .
