What Are My Options For Bunion Surgery?

You and your podiatric surgeon have decided that your painful bunions need to be surgically removed. Since there are so many options for removing the bunion, how does your podiatrist decide which one is best for you?
There are two ways a podiatrist selects which procedure is best suited for you. First, they will give you a clinical exam, which shows the range of motion available, the pain experienced with motion and footwear, and the mobility of the big toe and associated joints. Then, they will look at your x-rays. From this they will see the positive or negative findings of arthritic change due to joint cartilage and bone, the angle between the big toe and the second toe, and finally the length and position of the big toe.
Most procedures will include a "bumpectomy", which shaves off the part of the bone that is sticking out beyond the natural line of your foot. Inner muscles of the great toe may also be cut to prevent the big toe from crossing over to the second toe.
In a situation where the joint is severely arthritic and painful, one of the joint resection procedures would be the best option for you. Joint replacement is an implant that allows for minimal and pain-free motion. Joint fusion is a fusion of the metatarsal bone and the big toe. Joint resection procedures greatly reduce and even eliminate the pain associated with the bunion, but can also greatly decrease the range of motion.
For those who have a mild to moderate bunion, with a slight angle between the first and second toes, the surgical procedure usually involves moving the head of the metatarsal inward by making a sideways triangular cut called an Austin, or modified Austin. Once the cut has been made, the first toe is moved back towards the second toe and fixated. The benefits of this procedure is that there is a faster recovery time, easier healing, and the correction is very stable. The downside is that this procedure is only for mild to moderate bunions.
Moderate bunion procedures involve the shaft of the metatarsal. If the angle of the metatarsal is too great for a head procedure, meaning that the head could not be moved over for correction and be considered stable, then your podiatrist will instead make a cut in the shaft of the metatarsal, allowing for less movement and more correction. The benefit of having this procedure done is the angle of your big toe will be closer to what it used to be and the base of the toe will likely be hypermobile. Cons include a longer recovery, less stability, and a greater surgical expertise.
A base procedure is done when there is a very high angle between the first and second metatarsal. A metatarsal base procedure allows for slight movement inwards and great angle correction.
If you are suffering from a bunion, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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• 8 Stretches For Bunions
• What's That Bump on My Big Toe?
• Can I Have A Bunion On the Outside Of My Foot?
• Bunion Surgery Helped Nigella Lawson Lose Weight

6 Myths About Bunion Surgery

This article was adapted from Dr. Neil Blitz's article that appeared in the Huffington Post.
Myth 1: Bunion surgery is extremely painful.
Overall, bunion surgery is not more painful than other general surgeries. Foot surgery can lend itself to post-operative pain because of the foot's location below the heart and the likelihood of blood rushing to the area,

creating that throbbing feeling. There is also not a lot of soft tissue surrounding the bones on the foot, so post-operative swelling can aggravate the nerves. However, most patients who experience post-operative pain find relief with pain medication.
Myth 2: Even after surgery, bunions can come back.
Not necessarily! It's not likely bunions will recur, like warts or fungal toenails. Some patients however have excessive motion in the foot that predisposes them to bunions. Others continue to wear improper footwear and bad habits. As well, the surgery that was performed the first time may not have been suitable for the bunion's severity.
Myth 3: You'll have to wear an ugly cast and go on crutches.
Maybe that was true back in the 1970's or 1980's, but podiatry has made many advancements and improvements over the past 30 years. Modern technology allows podiatrists to get their patients walking much quicker. For mild bunions, you can expect to wear a surgical shoe for six weeks (not stylish, we know, but much better than a cast!). Larger and more severe bunions sometimes require a cast and crutches, but that's because setting the bones is very complex. Some podiatrists don't even cut the bone anymore but perform instead a procedure called Lapidus bunionectomy, a fusion that allows for the realignment of the deviated bone.
Myth 4: You'll be out of work forever.
If you have a desk job, expect to be back at work within two weeks. Jobs where you are on your feet, require excessive walking or physical activity may require a leave of absence up to two months. Driving may be a problem if your right foot is operated on.
Myth 5: A bunion shouldn't be fixed unless it's painful.
Not always. Bunions that continue to grow, interfere with activity, or certain shoes cannot be worn anymore, can be removed. It is the preference of our podiatrists that the bunion be painful before we remove it.
Myth 6: You'll have gross scars after surgery.
As with most surgeries, there will some scarring afterwards. The incision for the surgery is either on the top of the foot or the the side of the foot. Your surgeon's methods of closing will vary by the individual; some may perform a plastic-surgery type closure.
If you are suffering from a bunion, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neal-m-blitz/bunion-surgery_b_1349607.html

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• 8 Stretches For Bunions
• Can I Have A Bunion On the Outside Of My Foot?
• What's That Bump on My Big Toe?
• Bunion Surgery Helped Nigella Lawson Lose Weight

8 Stretches For Bunions

This article originally appeared in on Everyday Health and was written by Krisha McCoy, MS.
Bunions occur when the tissue at the base of your big toe becomes swollen, forming a large bump on the side of your foot. Bunions can cause intense pain and may eventually lead to arthritis in the area. The good news is that most bunions can be managed without surgery.
Special exercises "will not get rid of the bunion because the bunion is a biomechanical deformity, but they can relieve symptoms and increase flexibility," says Khurram Khan, DPM, assistant professor of podiatric medicine, New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York.

Non-surgical approaches, such as physical therapy exercises, can help to slow the progression of your bunion. Starting out with conservative therapy is always the first line of attack, unless the bunion is severe. Foot exercises and toe stretches for bunions can help keep the joint between your big toe and the rest of your foot mobile, maintaining flexibility and strengthening the muscles that control your big toe.
Here are some stretches you may find helpful if you have a bunion:
*Toe Stretches. Stretching out your toes can help keep them limber and offset foot pain. To stretch your toes, point your toes straight ahead for 5 seconds and then curl them under for 5 seconds. Repeat these stretches 10 times. This stretch is also beneficial if you have hammertoes.
*Toe Flexing and Contracting. Dr. Latif also recommends pressing your toes against a hard surface such as a wall, to flex and stretch them; hold the position for 10 seconds and repeat 3 to 4 times. Then flex your toes in the opposite direction; hold the position for 10 seconds and repeat 3 to 4 times.
*Stretching Your Big Toe. Using your fingers to gently pull your big toe into proper alignment can be helpful as well. Hold your toe in position for 10 seconds and repeat 3 to 4 times.
*Resistance Exercises. Wrap either a towel or belt around your big toe and use it to pull your big toe towards you while simultaneously pushing forward, against the towel, with your big toe.
*Ball Roll. To massage the bottom of your foot, sit down, place a golf ball on the floor under your foot, and roll it around under your foot for 2 minutes. This can help relieve foot strain and cramping.
*Towel Curls. You can strengthen your toes by spreading out a small towel on the floor, curling your toes around it, and pulling it toward you. Repeat 5 times. Gripping objects with your toes like this can help keep your foot flexible.
*Picking Up Marbles. Another gripping exercise you can perform to keep your foot flexible is picking up marbles with your toes. Do this by placing 20 marbles on the floor in front of you and use your foot to pick up the marbles one by one and place them in a bowl.
*Walking On the Beach. Whenever possible, spend time walking on sand. This can give you a gentle massage and also help strengthen your toes. This is especially important for people with arthritis with the bunion.
Performing these exercises in both the morning and night will help patients with bunions the most. Do them at a time that is convenient for you, like when you are watching tv or sitting at your desk.
If you have suffering from bunion pain and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter. 

Related articles

• Can I Have A Bunion On the Outside Of My Foot?

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• What's That Bump on My Big Toe?

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• Bunion Surgery Helped Nigella Lawson Lose Weight

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