Bunion surgery is done to reduce the pain and correct the deformity caused by a bunion. A bunion (hallux valgus) is a deformity of the bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe or at the base of the little toe. The one at the small toe is called a "bunionette" or "tailor's bunion." Bunions often form when the joint is stressed for a long time. Most bunions form in women, mainly because women may be more likely to wear tight, pointed, and confining shoes. Bunions may be inherited as a family trait. Bunions may also result from arthritis. This often affects the big toe joint.

Your doctor may first advise wearing comfortable, well-fitting footwear with a wide toe box and without a heel. This means shoes that conform to the shape of your foot and don't put pressure on any areas. They may also suggest using toe spacers, splints or orthotics. These are special shoe inserts shaped to your feet. These can reposition the big toe and provide padding. For bunions caused by arthritis, medicines may help reduce pain and swelling.

If these treatments don't help, your doctor may advise surgery. This often solves the problem. The goal of surgery is to relieve pain and correct as much deformity as possible. The surgery is not cosmetic. It is not meant to improve how the foot looks.

The type of surgery done depends on factors, such as:

• How severe the bunion is.
• Your age.
• Your general health.
• Your activity level.
• The condition of the bones and connective tissue.

Other factors for the choice of a procedure include:

• Mild bunion. For this type of surgery, the surgeon may remove the enlarged portion of bone. They may realign the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joint.
• Moderate bunion. The surgeon may cut the bone and shift it to its correct position. This depends on how severe the bunion is and where it is. The tendons and ligaments around the area may also need to be repositioned.
• Severe bunion. Surgery may be done to remove the enlarged portion of the bone, cut and realign the bone, and correct the position of the tendons and ligaments.
• Arthritic bunion or big toe joint. With arthritis, the joint may be damaged beyond repair. In this case, it may need to be fused. This lets the bones heal together. It stops movement and pain. In some cases, joint replacement implants may be used to rebuild the big toe joint.

You may need bunion surgery if you have:

• Severe foot pain even when walking or wearing flat, comfortable shoes.
• Chronic big toe inflammation and swelling that is not helped with rest or medicines.
• Toe deformity.
• Bending of the big toe toward the small toe.
• An inability to bend and straighten the big toe.

Your doctor may have other reasons to advise bunion surgery.

All surgery has risks. Risks of this kind of surgery include:

• Stiffness.
• Numbness.
• Swelling.
• Delayed healing.
• Infection.

Other problems may include:

• The bunion comes back.
• Nerve damage.
• Continued pain.
• The big toe extends away from the other toes (called overcorrection).

There may be other risks. This depends on your health condition. Discuss any concerns with your doctor before the procedure.

• Your doctor will explain the procedure to you. Ask any questions that you have about the procedure.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form. This gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.
• Your doctor will ask about your health history. They will give you a complete physical exam. This is to make sure that you are in good health before having the procedure. You may have blood tests or other tests.
• Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines. This includes latex, tape, and anesthetic agents (local and general).
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you are taking. This includes prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders. Tell them if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop these medicines before the procedure.
• If you are pregnant or think you could be, tell your doctor.
• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before the procedure.
• You may get a sedative before the procedure. This is to help you relax. Because it may make you drowsy, you will need to plan to have someone to drive you home.
• Based on your medical condition, your doctor may ask for other specific preparation.

Bunion surgery may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you go home the same day. In rare cases, you may stay overnight in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and the way your doctor does things.

Most bunion surgery is done under ankle block anesthesia. This means your foot is numb, but you are awake. In some cases, general or spinal anesthesia is used.

Bunion surgery often follows this process:

1. You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a medical gown to wear.
2. An I.V. (intravenous) line may be started in your arm or hand.
3. The skin over the bunion will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
4. If a local anesthetic is used, you will feel a needle stick when the anesthetic is injected. This may cause a brief stinging feeling. If general anesthesia is used, you will be put to sleep using I.V. medicine.
5. The surgeon will cut, realign, and possibly remove portions of bone, ligaments, and tendons of the affected foot based on how severe the bunion is.
6. The surgeon will close the opening with stitches and apply a sterile bandage or dressing.

After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room. Your recovery process will vary depending on the type of anesthesia you had. The blood flow and feeling in the foot will be kept track of. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to a hospital room or discharged to go home.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions for caring for your foot at home during the first few weeks after surgery. You may be discharged from the hospital wearing a special surgical shoe or cast to protect your foot.

Once you are at home, you will need to rest. Keep your foot raised (elevated) as much as possible for the first few days after surgery and apply ice as recommended by your doctor. This is to help reduce pain and swelling. Never apply ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice in a thin towel to prevent skin injury.

Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may be advised to limit walking and limit the amount of weight you put on your foot. You may be advised to use an assistive device, such as crutches, a cane, a walker, or a knee walker after surgery.

It's important to keep the dressing clean and dry. Follow your doctor's instructions on showering. You may be advised to cover the dressing with a plastic bag or plastic wrap and tape it with plastic tape when showering. Or take a sponge bath. The stitches will be removed during a follow-up visit. This is generally scheduled for 2 weeks after surgery.

Take a pain reliever for soreness as advised by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medicines may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only approved medicines. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. This is to help prevent infection after your surgery.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.
• Chills.
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other fluid leaking from the incision site.
• Pain around the incision site that gets worse.
• Swelling or redness in lower leg of the affected foot.

Your doctor will advise you about safe activities after surgery. Your foot may need ongoing support from dressings or a brace for 6 to 8 weeks or longer after surgery. Driving may be restricted for a period of time after surgery until your bones are healed. Especially if the surgery was performed on your right foot.

Exercises or physical therapy may be advised to help your foot recover its strength and range of motion after surgery. Don't wear high heels until approved by your doctor. They may recommend that you never return to wearing high-heeled shoes.

Your doctor may give you more or different instructions after the procedure.

Before you agree to the test or procedure make sure you know:

• The name of the test or procedure.
• The reason you are having the test or procedure.
• What results to expect and what they mean.
• The risks and benefits of the test or procedure.
• What the possible side effects or complications are.
• When and where you are to have the test or procedure.
• Who will do the test or procedure and what that person's qualifications are.
• What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure.
• Any alternative tests or procedures to think about.
• When and how will you get the results.
• Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems.
• How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure.