6 Things to Know about Bunion Surgery

by | May 26, 2016 | Bunions

One of the goals of The Kansas Foot Center is to provide patients with educational tools so you can make an informed decision with regard to your foot health and the treatment we provide. This is especially important for surgical procedures we may need to perform, including those for bunions.

Although our target is always to use noninvasive care whenever possible, there are times when surgery is simply a necessary consideration. When it comes to considering bunion surgery, here are six things to keep in mind when you make your decision:

  1. Not everyone needs surgery. If your bunion is not painful or interfering with your ability to perform regular activities, then we will provide preventative care to slow down its progression. We can also treat discomfort or other symptoms you are experiencing by using conservative options.
  2. You will still need to adjust your shoe choices. Even after bunion surgery, we will recommend that you avoid tight, narrow shoes. Please do not consider surgery as a means to wear fashionable high-heeled footwear again!
  3. The procedure will allow you to better perform activities and reduce pain. We generally reserve surgical procedures for patients who have pain and cannot participate in everyday activities. The surgeries address both of these issues.
  4. Bunion surgeries are typically done on an outpatient basis. There is no lengthy hospital stay for a surgery to correct a bunion, but…
  5. The recovery process may be lengthy. Depending on the procedure, patient, and adherence to postoperative instructions, full recovery can take up to 6 months (including scheduled follow-up visits to our office for up to one year afterwards).
  6. There is a risk of potential complications. As with any surgery, there is a chance of complications like infection, nerve injury, and recurrence. We do take careful measures to reduce the risk for all patients, however.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from a bunion, our doctors at The Kansas Foot Center will provide the care you need. Depending on the state of your condition, we might be able to use conservative treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent the bunion from worsening. In the event you would benefit from bunion surgery, you can rest easy knowing that our medical team has performed thousands of successful procedures.

Call us at (316) 283-4330 and one of our staff members will be glad to answer any questions or provide additional information. We will also assist you in scheduling an appointment at any of our Emporia, Newton, and Wichita, KS offices, or you can request one online right now.