BUNION REMOVAL

General Information

DEFINITION--Removal of a bunion, a bony and fibrous outgrowth at the base of the big toe.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Foot; joint between the metatarsal bone and big toe; fluid sac that surrounds the joint.

REASONS FOR SURGERY

• Relief of pain.
• Correction of deformity.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

• Poor nutrition.
• Recent illness.
• Alcoholism or chronic illness.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES--General surgeon, orthopedist or podiatrist.

WHERE PERFORMED--Doctor's office, outpatient surgical facility or hospital.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: X-rays of foot; blood and urine studies.
• After surgery: X-rays of foot.

ANESTHESIA

• Local anesthesia by injection.
• Spinal anesthesia by injection.
• General anesthesia by injection and inhalation with an airway tube placed in the windpipe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• An incision is made over the bunion.
• The capsule of the joint connecting the metatarsal bone and the big toe is opened.
• A section from the metatarsal bone is cut or filed away and removed. Another small bone (the sesamoid bone) attached to a tendon is removed also.
• Tendons attached to the base of the metatarsal and toe bones are cut. This allows the bones to straighten when healed.
• The skin is closed with sutures, which usually can be removed about 10 days after surgery.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Excessive bleeding.
• Surgical-wound infection.
• Slow healing.

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY--0 to 1 day.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Expect complete healing without complications. Allow about 6 weeks for recovery from surgery.

Postoperative Care

† Apply non--

prescription antibiotic ointment to the wound before applying bandages.

• If the wound bleeds, press a clean tissue or cloth to it.

† You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

ACTIVITY

• Avoid vigorous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery. Don't put weight on the affected foot until the surgical area heals.
• Resume driving 4 days after returning home.

DIET---No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

† Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.

• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop.