Are you toying with the idea of having surgery on your bunions? While surgery is a path bunion-sufferers often choose, if you’re considering the option for yourself, make sure to do your research and make yourself aware of all the potential pros and cons.
Bunion surgery can pose a risk for one or more of the following complications:
1. Depending on the severity of the bunion, surgery patients could take up to a year to recover. This length of recovery is rare, but possible, so you could be unable to return to the active daily lifestyle you might be used to – so if you opt for surgery, prepare to shelf those running shoes for a few months.
2. If surgery fails to correct the underlying problem, the bunion may return in the future. (We have customers who’ve had not one, not two, not three, but four bunion surgeries – on the same foot!)
3. Surgery complication rates including infection and irritation from pins can go as high as 55 percent. Those with bad circulation, diabetes and/or overall poor nutrition and health are at higher risk for this issues. Other potential problem with surgery include but are not limited to:
- Weakened big toe (We all need strong toes, even if we’re not ballerinas!)
- Pain transferred to other parts of the foot including the ball of the foot
- Nerve damage
- Extensive physical therapy
- Continued swelling of the foot and let
- An increase in pain
- Scarring
- CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – you can read up on this and other complications in this article also.)
4. Studies reveal up to one-third of patients express dissatisfaction with surgery results. Although surgery will probably improve toe alignment, you will not be able to wedge your tootsies into narrow 3-inch heels like you did when you were 20. (Sorry, ladies!)
5. For mild deformities, the surgeon could elect to shave off the enlarged portion of the bone and then realign the muscles, ligament and tendons (and remember –this is a bunionectomy for a mild case).
6. For more serious cases, you could be looking at an Osteotomy. A cut will be made at the base of the metatarsal bone, after which the surgeon will rotate the bone and secure it in place with pins or screws (remember the pin irritation mentioned in number three).
So if you decide to avoid the risk for bunion surgery complications, what are your options? You’re in luck: effective, less invasive solutions are out there.
Bunion Bootie is one such solution. The thin, hardly noticeable brace will provide a gentle, flexible support that will relieve the pressure your bunion puts on your toes and work to restore the natural and normal flexing action of the foot. Bunion Bootie redistributes the body’s weight over a larger surface area, helping your toes to splay out again. In the long run, this can help to improve your balance and gait. Best of all, you can wear Bunion Bootie barefoot or in any shoe, including running and dress shoes!
Good luck!