Bunion Surgery

Here at New Victoria Hospital, our exceptional Orthopaedic surgeons are highly experienced in carrying out Bunion Surgery. Generally, a quick and straightforward procedure, Bunion Surgery is required to alleviate the symptoms of a bunion when non-surgical treatments have been ineffective.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bony lump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe which can cause pain and discomfort and can only be removed through surgery. Most commonly caused by prolonged pressure on the foot, such as wearing improper footwear, they are sometimes associated with arthritis of the joint at the base of your big toe. They are typically painful and can be unsightly depending on the severity of the condition.

Symptoms of a bunion can include:

A bump on the side of a person's foot
Swelling and redness around the joint of the big toe
Ongoing or sporadic pain
Limited movement of the big toe
Corns and calluses from the big toe and second toe rub together

Once a bunion has appeared the only way for it to be removed is through surgery.

Bunion surgery is an excellent treatment option for those who have:

Persistent pain caused by a bunion that limits their everyday activity.
Inflammation and swelling of the big toe that does not improve with medication or rest
Toe deformity that causes the big toe to cross over the smaller toes

Private Bunion Surgery Procedure

The type of surgery required will depend on the severity of your bunion. The most common form of surgical treatment for a bunion is Bunionectomy. This type of procedure is minimally invasive where small incisions are made, allowing for a faster procedure and quicker recovery times than traditional open surgery.

Bunion surgery is an easy surgical procedure which takes around 30 minutes to perform allowing you to return home the very same day following your operation. The procedure may involve removing the bunion, releasing or tightening ligaments, realigning your big toe, stiffening a joint and straightening your smaller toes. The surgeon may insert wires, screws or plates into your foot to hold the joint in place. This will be discussed during your pre-surgery consultation where our highly experienced surgeons will address any concerns or questions you may have.

Bunion surgery can be performed in three ways, either under a general anaesthetic so you are unconscious for the duration of the procedure, spinal anaesthetic so you are numb from the waist down, or local anaesthetic where only the foot is numbed. How the surgery is performed will depend on your overall health and several other factors that your surgeon will assess.

What Complications Can Happen?

Bunion surgery is a safe and effective procedure however, as with any surgery, there can be complications. This will be thoroughly discussed with you during your consultation with one of our highly experienced Orthopaedic surgeons prior to your surgery.

General Complications

Pain
Bleeding
Infection of the surgical site (wound)
Unsightly scarring
Blood clots
Difficulty passing urine

Specific Complications

Damage to nerves
Problems with bone healing
Loss of movement in your big toe
Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your foot (complex regional pain syndrome)
Pain in the ball of your foot
The deformity coming back

Private Bunion Surgery Aftercare

Following bunion surgery, it is important that you rest your foot to avoid pain and to aid in quick recovery. It is recommended that during the first week, you spend most of the time with your leg raised so that the swelling settles. It can take six weeks or longer before the swelling has gone down enough for you to wear a normal soft shoe.

Regular exercise should help you return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask our friendly healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Private Bunion Surgery at New Victoria

Here at New Victoria, our industry-leading Orthopaedic surgeons are experts in private Bunion Surgery. We provide comprehensive care and tailor each surgery to an individual's needs. Our team of expert Orthopaedic Consultants ensure you are fully informed throughout your time with us and feel as comfortable as possible at every stage. At New Victoria, our multidisciplinary team will be on hand to take care of you from start to finish and make sure your stay with us is as pleasant as possible.