Hallux Valgus (Bunion) Surgery
Experiencing pain in your big toe? Bunion surgery, or Hallux Valgus surgery, corrects the deformity by realigning bones, tendons, and ligaments to relieve pain and restore foot function.
How It’s Performed
Dr Abdel Kak uses a minimal incision and dissection approach to reduce the amount of trauma and enhanced recovery for his patients from bunion surgery.
A combination of surgical techniques is used to correct a bunion including soft tissue and osseous/bone correction. Ligaments and tendons need to be corrected by tightening or loosing them to avoid the big toe from moving into the wrong direction. Depending on how much the bones of the big toe are misaligned, varying bone surgery can be performed. Most commonly, an osteotomy (bone cut) is performed to correct the misalignment of the big toe joint and the bone is fixed with a pin or screw. An exostectomy is performed to directly remove the bone bump of the bunion. This procedure may relieve symptoms however it does not correct the underlying alignment concerns. In some cases if there is arthritis of the joint, Dr Abdel Kak may use a technique called ‘arthrodesis’. This is a procedure where the surfaces of the arthritic joints are removed and the two opposing bone are fused together. This is only used when the joint arthritis is severe and if previous surgeries have failed.
Recovery Information
Your bunion surgery recovery will depend on the initial severity of your bunion deformity, and the style of surgical treatment performed. In general, patients can walk fully weight-bearing on the day of surgery in a post-operative surgical sandal. The foot is generally numb with local anaesthetic for 12 – 24 hours and simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medication are taken for the first week or two. Strong painkillers if required are only generally needed in the first week after surgery. Dressings and bandages must stay intact and dry until your 1 and 2 week review where your wounds are checked for healing, and your foot is checked for mobility. Bone healing takes approximately 6 -8 weeks at which point you will return to regular walking shoes with a full return to impact exercises around 3 months. Any swelling from your bunion surgery recovery should be complete after 6 months but this varies with different individuals.
Risks and Complications
During the preoperative consultations, Dr Abdel Kak will answer all your questions and discuss the potential risk and complications associated with bunion surgery. Although they are usually rare, some of risks and complications include;
- Wound infection – with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of getting an infection. This occurs in less then 1% of patients and the surgeon will give you antibiotics to treat or help prevent an infection from occurring
- Recurrence of deformity – a rare occurrence of the bunion returning. Both bone and soft tissue corrections are performed to help prevent this from occurring
- Nerve damage – you may get some numbness around the incision site after the surgery, this usually goes away but in some rare instances this can remain
- Scar formation – in most cases you are left with a faint line which gradually reduces with time. In some instances and skin types the scar can become thickened
- Over-correction – a rare complication, the big toe can deviate towards the inside of the foot. The surgeon ensures the surgical correction is adequate and the bandages and splints are in the correct position post operatively to help prevent this from occurring.
- Ongoing pain and stiffness – General risks and complications from any foot surgery which can include; continuous pain, deep vein thrombosis and a possibility of reacting to the anaesthesia (general and local)
Frequently Asked Questions
Bunion surgery is usually performed as a day procedure and you are able to go home the same day.
Following the completion of your procedure, you are transferred to a recovery area and your vital signs monitored. You may experience some nausea, pain and be slightly disoriented while the general anaesthesia wears off. The medical staff will ensure you are comfortable, assist you to recommence eating and contact your support person to arrange your pickup. Prior to being discharged, the podiatric surgeon will talk to you briefly going over the procedure, post-operative medications and the post-operative instructions.
During the procedure, a local anaesthetic injection is given makes the foot numb for 12 – 24 hours. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory medication are taken for the first week or two. Strong painkillers if required are only generally needed in the first week after surgery.
It is important you rest and avoid any unnecessary weight bearing following to allow the bones and soft tissue to heal in the desired positions. Dressings and bandages must stay intact and dry until your 1 and 2 week review where your wounds are checked for healing, and your foot is checked for mobility.
Your foot is usually bandaged and you can weight bear/walk in a post-operative sandal. Walking is kept at a minimum and only for necessity.
Healing, recovery times and work circumstances vary for each individual. Generally, if your job involves predominantly you sitting, you can expect to return to work in 3-4 weeks. However if your job requires you to be more active, walking or long periods of standing then you can expect to be back at work in 8-12 weeks.
Yes you can have both bunions operated on at the same time. Although your mobility will be reduced, the recovery for both will be the same. The surgeon will review your circumstances and advise if this is best for you.
Following your bunion surgery, the typical post-operative appointments are:
- 1 week
- The compression bandage is changed and the wound and foot is reviewed
- 2 weeks
- The bandage is removed, the sutures removed and a smaller dressing is applied. You will remain in the post-operative sandal.
- 3-4 weeks
- Light dressing will be applied. You will transition from the post op sandal into a stiff soled, wide fitting jogger.
- 8 weeks
- An x ray will be performed to assess the bone healing and alignment of the joints.
- 12 weeks
- The joint and foot will be assessed for alignment, mobility and pain. You will be generally able to return to most activites at this point
The cost of bunion surgery may vary depending on each individuals requirements varying due to complexity, pathology and necessary treatments. We will provide a full cost disclosure prior to commencing any treatment and/or procedure.
Podiatric Surgery is covered by private health insurance funds, however, the level of health fund rebate depends on the fund and level of cover. It is beneficial to contact your private health insurance to find out your cover or one of administration staff can assist you with the health insurance claims.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Individual circumstance can differ, please contact Dr Abdel Kak’s rooms to discuss if surgery is appropriate for you.