A bunion is an often painful protrusion on the joint of the big toe which results when the angle of the toe is shifted inwards too much. The most common cause of this disorder is wearing tight-fitting shoes that place the toes in an abnormal position, leading to the misplacement of this joint which in turn can cause pain and make standing for long periods of time unbearable. There is an operation which can be effective, however it is advisable that before bunion surgery San Francisco patients learn what it entails.
A brace or splint to the toe joint early on may help the problem somewhat and slow does its progression, and corn pads can ease pain caused by pressure, but these measures don't normally produce the same results as the more permanent surgery. It can help to wear footwear with a wider toe box to more comfortably house the bunion, and arch supports can aid if flat feet are the problem.
Those bunions which are more severe can only be remedied by a surgical procedure. If a patient has not responded well to non-operative measures and is considerably afflicted with pain, surgery is indicated. The operation is performed while the patient is given a combination of local and general anesthetic, with more of the former used so less of the latter is needed. It is often done as an out-patient procedure, but sometimes an overnight stay is necessary.
Called an "osteotomy", the procedure consists of dividing the metatarsal or big toe bone in two, repositioning it, and eliminating the bulge of the bunion. This effectively strengthens the joint and narrows the top of the foot. Surgical staples or screws hold the bones in place while it heals and a protective post-operative shoe is also worn.
The bandaged foot can be expected to be painful and swollen following surgery, but these unpleasant sensations can be kept under control with appropriate pain relievers and keeping the foot in an elevated position as much as possible. Exercises should be carried out right away and on an ongoing basis to prevent stiffness, and the post-op shoe must be worn continuously, including in bed. In two week's time stitches can be removed.
Patients must wear the post-op shoe for about six weeks, and then they can switch to an open-toed sandal with straps that can be adjusted. After another six to eight weeks, regular shoes can be worn and once three to six months have passed, sporting activities may be resumed.
Typically patients will experience a notable improvement following the procedure. There does exist a very low incidence of such complications as non-healing of the bone, problems with surgical screws, skin infections, blood clot, stiffness, toe sensitization, and corn formation from increased weight transfer to the second toe, but these problems are rare.
When interested in the prospect of bunion surgery San Francisco patients need to understand that this operation is considered the last resort once all other attempts to manage pain and symptoms have failed. It isn't normally recommended as a means of preventing advancement of the disorder or to improve the appearance of the feet.
A brace or splint to the toe joint early on may help the problem somewhat and slow does its progression, and corn pads can ease pain caused by pressure, but these measures don't normally produce the same results as the more permanent surgery. It can help to wear footwear with a wider toe box to more comfortably house the bunion, and arch supports can aid if flat feet are the problem.
Those bunions which are more severe can only be remedied by a surgical procedure. If a patient has not responded well to non-operative measures and is considerably afflicted with pain, surgery is indicated. The operation is performed while the patient is given a combination of local and general anesthetic, with more of the former used so less of the latter is needed. It is often done as an out-patient procedure, but sometimes an overnight stay is necessary.
Called an "osteotomy", the procedure consists of dividing the metatarsal or big toe bone in two, repositioning it, and eliminating the bulge of the bunion. This effectively strengthens the joint and narrows the top of the foot. Surgical staples or screws hold the bones in place while it heals and a protective post-operative shoe is also worn.
The bandaged foot can be expected to be painful and swollen following surgery, but these unpleasant sensations can be kept under control with appropriate pain relievers and keeping the foot in an elevated position as much as possible. Exercises should be carried out right away and on an ongoing basis to prevent stiffness, and the post-op shoe must be worn continuously, including in bed. In two week's time stitches can be removed.
Patients must wear the post-op shoe for about six weeks, and then they can switch to an open-toed sandal with straps that can be adjusted. After another six to eight weeks, regular shoes can be worn and once three to six months have passed, sporting activities may be resumed.
Typically patients will experience a notable improvement following the procedure. There does exist a very low incidence of such complications as non-healing of the bone, problems with surgical screws, skin infections, blood clot, stiffness, toe sensitization, and corn formation from increased weight transfer to the second toe, but these problems are rare.
When interested in the prospect of bunion surgery San Francisco patients need to understand that this operation is considered the last resort once all other attempts to manage pain and symptoms have failed. It isn't normally recommended as a means of preventing advancement of the disorder or to improve the appearance of the feet.
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