ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE/THERAPY & SURGERY
Therapy, Rehab, and Eventual Complications
As almost all other bones’ disorders, a Surgical bunion therapy is usually if simple nonsurgical treatments did not give the healing result and pain is persisting.
Bunion surgical therapy should focus on two objectives:
- Reinstating the foot normal alignment and mechanics
- Removing pain and preventing its repetition
Bunion Surgery
A Bunion surgery typically involves breaking the toe bone (metatarsal) to adjust the alignment.
This part of the process is called an osteotomy.
The surgery also involves compressing the ligaments on the outside of the toe, and relaxing the ligaments on the inside, so the pressure on the ligaments holding the toe are pointing in the appropriate direction.
Some surgeons choose to use pins, plates, or screws to hold the broken bone while it is healing.
Others choose to allow the bone to heal without metal holding.
After a Bunion surgery, the foot must be protected to allow the broken bone to heal, and the inflammation to lessen.
The use of immobilization and/or supports will depend on the particular process that requires to be performed.
Bunion Surgery Complications
Bunion Surgery Probable complications include:
Bunion recurrence:
if there is a derisory correction of the initial abnormality and when the bunion is merely shaved off, they frequently return.
For this reason, more intensive surgery is classically required.
Overcorrection of the abnormality:
Sometimes, correcting the problem with the surgery may consequently leads to a new problem with the toe shape.
One problem called a hallux varus, is a disorder that causes the big toe to point inward.
Nerve injury:
The nerves that run along the toe sides and provide the feeling to the tip of the toes may be damaged with the surgical incision needed for bunion surgery.
Inflammation:
The foot surgery is disposed to inflammation because healing on the foot can be complicated by footwear or weight-bearing.
Nonunion and malunion:
Nonunion arises when the bones do not heal after an osteotomy and realignment. To avoid this complication, most surgeons restrict activity after surgery, but other factors can lead to the development of a nonunion or malunion after surgery.
Bunion Surgery / Rehab
Following a bunion surgery, patients wear a special post-operative shoe to avoid pressure on the healing bone.
Most of the patients will use crutches (Supports) as well, at least until the initial pain has decreased.
Bunion surgery can be quite painful and may necessitate about three months or even more for complete recovery.