Bunion Surgery and Treatment

Bunion surgery or bunionectomy is an effective treatment for forefoot deformity. The treatment area involves the joint at the base of your big toe and surrounding ligaments. This procedure reduces pain and discomfort during your walking cycle or other daily activities, no matter the cause. The most appropriate type of surgery will depend on a wide array of factors, such as how much the position of the bones in the foot has changed.

Untreated bunions can lead to other foot problems that have an impact on your mobility, including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Toe pain
• Foot pain
• Ball of foot pain

Dr. Velimir Petkov at Premier Podiatry in Passaic County, NJ, evaluates how far your bunion has progressed. Then he recommends the best course of treatment for your case. When your bunion is small, conservative treatments such as orthotics, extra padding for your shoes, physical therapy, or changes in footwear may give you relief or deliver improvement. If these methods don’t bring relief or your pain is debilitating, surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions.

Not everyone who has a bunion needs removal surgery. This type of surgery isn’t usually recommended if you’re not experiencing pain. And it’s not typically done solely for cosmetic reasons, even though the results may leave you with more attractive feet. Cosmetic foot surgery in general, isn’t something to undertake lightly.

The decision regarding the surgical options and whether surgery is considered at all depends on:

• The severity of your symptoms
• How bad the misalignment is
• Whether your bunion is related to osteoarthritis
• Whether you have underlying health conditions such as vascular disease, diabetes, rheumatic disease, or nerve disorders

Your podiatrists in New Jersey try to make accommodations to reduce your discomfort. To do so, he considers how active you are and the condition of the rest of your connective tissue and bones. Your age and overall health also play a role in the decision to go ahead with the minimally invasive bunion surgery. If hammertoes or claw toes have already developed, Dr. Petkov will correct these deformities during bunion removal surgery.

The goal of bunion surgery in NJ is to correct as much deformity as possible and to relieve pain so that you can return to your normal level of activity. If you have severe hallux valgus that haven’t been treated, they can lead to ongoing issues, including damage to your other toes.

Pressure from your big toe may lead to the development of persistent corns or cause your toes to bend so that you end up with hammertoes. Shifting your weight away from the bunion leads to calluses or pain in the ball of your foot. You may decide to avoid exercising altogether because of the pain your bunion causes, but if you develop a sedentary lifestyle, you become at risk for other serious health issues.

There are several different types of bunionectomy procedures. Laser bunion surgery isn’t yet an option. However, a best-rated podiatry specialist Dr. Petkov relies on targeted laser techniques to treat a host of other foot conditions, such as toenail fungus removal. The latest techniques in bunion procedures are minimally invasive, which shortens recovery time and reduces the risk of infection, as well as the amount of pain and swelling you experience after surgery.

Several examples of bunion removal options:

• Bunionectomy. This procedure addresses mild deformities. Your podiatrist shaves off the enlarged portion of the bone and realigns muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
• Bilateral Bunionectomy. This type of treatment is prescribed for patients with Hallux Valgus on both feet. To avoid complications, surgery is performed on one foot at a time. The recommended interval between surgeries is at least six weeks.
• Osteotomy. In this bunion bone surgery, small cuts are made in the bone to realign the joint. The break is fixed with pins, plates, or screws. Your connective tissue is repaired if needed.

Most types of bunion surgeries involve correcting the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules to improve the position of the big toe. Once that is done, your first metatarsal bone and your bone at the base of the big toe are cut and repositioned to straighten your toe again. If the condition is severe, you might need more complex surgery that involves the joint at the base of the first metatarsal bone.

Your bunion surgery in New Jersey can take around 30 to 100 minutes. Once the procedure is complete, you will have to stay in the clinic for a few days. But if your condition is not too serious, surgery can be performed as a day procedure, meaning there is no point in staying overnight in the clinic.

During the first few weeks after your minimally invasive bunion surgery, you will need to keep your foot stable. This can be accomplished by using bandages and, in some cases, a splint too. You should also wear special shoes that will take the pressure off the front of the feet. Even though it is allowed to gradually put weight on foot immediately after the procedure, you should not walk long distances. Apart from that, Dr. Petkov strongly recommends putting your foot up to prevent swelling.

Due to the different dynamics of the healing process, this part of treatment should not be underestimated. Hance, our leading podiatrist Dr. Petkov will always be on hand to support and guide you through the recovery process. A swift and healthy recovery can be easily achieved by following the recommendations of our podiatry specialist.

The degree to which you can use your foot depends on the type of operation you had and how painful it is. Make sure you have someone to help you with household chores and shopping, as you will not be able to move much in the first few weeks after surgery. You can start doing toe exercises once the wound has healed completely. To be able to use your foot to the fullest again, you need to allow for about 4 to 6 weeks. This is the optimal time for your bones to become stable.

Almost every surgery carries a certain degree of risk and bunionectomy is not an exception. Even though the complications are rare, Dr. Petkov, a leading bunion doctor in New Jersey, explains all the potential risks to the patient prior to committing to the procedure.

Some of the most distinguishing side-effects are:

• Inflammation, infection, and damage to blood vessels or nerves
• Part of the toe can become permanently numb
• Osteoarthritis of the metatarsal bone
• Death of bone tissue
• Infected wound
• Higher risk of thrombosis

If you suffer from blood circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease or diabetic foot, bunionectomy can cause wound-healing problems or the development of a chronic wound. If you already have blood circulation issues, you should not be undergoing NJ bunion surgery.

According to the research published by NCBI, most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms after surgery. Bunionectomy helps people use their feet a lot better and allows walking freely after surgery. However, some people can be gravely disappointed with the results of surgery because of the worse mobility of their foot. It occurs because surgery causes the joint at the base of the toe to stiffen, making it harder to do things like rolling the foot in a smooth heel-to-toe -movement.

You will not experience any pain during the procedure due to general anesthesia. The degree of pain experienced after surgery differs from person to person and depends on your pain threshold. Normally, patients experience discomfort for three to five days following the procedure. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to minimize swelling and pain.

The cost varies greatly depending on the type of procedure, your geographic location, and insurance coverage. According to recent reputable studies, the average bunion surgery cost is around $5,600. Although, it can range from $3,500 up to $12,000. Keep in mind that minimally invasive bunion removal surgery in NJ, offering a fast recovery and almost no pain, is considerably less expensive.

You can expect to get reimbursement for bunion treatment if it is causing pain and/or changing the way you walk. In this case, it will be considered a medical necessity, and the costs associated with surgery will be partially covered. The coverage depends on the type of insurance plan you have. You should not forget that if you choose a surgeon who is out-of-network, your insurance provider might not cover your expenses. Before deciding on the surgeon, your health should always be the most important consideration in any medical decision.