Bunionectomy, also referred to as surgical removal of bunion, is the way to correct a deformity that causes pain in the joint of your big toe. The bunion is medically referred to as hallux vagus, is formed in the event that your big toe is angled towards the outside, which causes an enlargement of the bony area at the bottom of the joint. The bump could be pushed against shoes, which can lead to pain, inflammation and difficulties walking.
While non-surgical options such as inserts for shoes and painkillers are effective initially but surgery is the preferred treatment for severe to moderate bunions that can significantly affect your daily activities.
This article examines the many surgical options for bunion correction, the factors that influence the procedure choice and the expectations in the recovery and surgery procedure.
Types of Bunionectomy
The precise surgical method for a bunionectomy varies based on the extent of the deformity the patient's age and level of activity as well as the health of the bones and adjacent tissues. Here's a brief overview of the three major surgical methods:
- Exostectomy It's a simple procedure that consists of removing the bony bump (exostosis) but does not deal with the root of the malalignment. Although it can provide some relief from pain, it isn't often done as the bunion defect can develop again. It can be utilized together with other methods to treat mild bunions.
- Osteotomy The most commonly used kind of bunion surgery. When an osteotomy is performed, the surgeon cuts off the metatarsal bone (the long bone that connects the big toe with the middle foot) and then realigns it to a normal position. This improves an angle in the large toe, and reduces of pressure from the bunion. There are many different osteotomy methods available and the selection of which one to choose is based on the particular defect. Pins, screws, or plates can be utilized to keep bones fragments while they heal.
- Arthrodesis It is utilized for serious bunions or when the large toe joint is weakened by arthritis. An arthrodesis is when the surgeon removes damaged joint surfaces and then fuses the bones. This stops movement within the joint, but also provides stability and relief from pain. Implants such as screws or wires may be used to help facilitate the fusion.
Factors Influencing Surgical Choice
Your podiatrist, or the Adavanced Foot Surgery in Perth will examine the severity of your bunion, take scans, and general health to determine the most appropriate method of surgery. Here are some of the most important aspects they look at:
- Deformity severity: The size and degree of the bunion determine if a straightforward excision of the bump (exostectomy) or an actualization procedure (osteotomy) is needed.
- Arthritis When the joint of your big toe is severely affected by arthritis, then arthrodesis may be a better choice to provide long-term pain relief as well as joint stability.
- Age and level of activity: Younger, active people could benefit more by having an osteotomy for maintaining joint mobility. For patients who are older or with less activity levels arthrodesis may be an appropriate option.
- Soft tissue and bone health: The health of the bone and its surrounding tissues like ligaments and tendon affects the effectiveness of specific procedures.
Surgical Procedure: What to Expect
Bunionectomy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure that is, you return home the same day as surgery. This is a brief description of the procedure:
- Consultation prior to surgery: You will discuss your medical history, allergies and the medicines you are taking together with the surgeon. They will discuss the procedure, the potential risks, and expectations for recovery. Other imaging tests or X-rays may be needed to evaluate the bunion's shape.
- Anesthesia Based on the extent of the procedure and the doctor's preferences for you, you could be treated with the local type of anesthesia (numbs the ankle and foot) or local anesthesia (numbs the lower leg) or general anesthesia (puts you to rest).
- The surgical procedure: The surgeon will create an incision around the bunion defect. Based on the technique chosen (exostectomy osteotomy, osteotomy or arthrodesis) the surgeons will take out this bony lump, reposition the metatarsal bone or join the joint. Techniques for soft tissue such as ligament release or tendon may be used to enhance alignment. The incision is then sealed with staples or sutures along with a clean dressing is applied.
Recovery After Bunionectomy
The recovery process for bunion surgery in Perth typically lasts up to a few weeks. What can you expect:
- Management of pain: You will be given pain medications to help manage post-surgical discomfort.
- Blurring and swelling: Expect swelling and bleeding around the surgical site and will gradually diminish with time.
- Wound treatment: Your doctor will give you instructions for dressing changes and wound care in order to keep your wound free of infections.
- Imprisonment: The foot may be kept immobilized with an splint or cast for a brief time to speed healing and to protect the surgical site.
Comments