1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Hallux Valgus (Bunions)

Bunion Surgery? Is it worth it?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Jinky89
Jinky89

I have an appointment coming up to make a decision on bunion surgery, my consultant has pretty much left the ball in my court to decide. What is making this so difficult for me is that I am currently not in pain. I have been, that is how I ended up at the doctors in the first place but the pain has since calmed down, probably because I gave up trying to wear nice shoes and stick to my sketchers on DrMartens almost all of the time! I get a niggle here and there but I sit in an office all day it would probably be different if I was on my feet.

My concern is I am only 27, they run in the family, my mums are quite severe and was offered surgery herself but basically she is scared of it. She wants me to have it done, said if she was me and had them at 27 she would get them done and they won't go away only get worse with age. Hers were almost nonexistent at my age! Doctor considered mine mild-moderate. I have my x-ray if I can see where to add pictures.

Do I wait till I am in pain? Do I risk inflicting pain which wasn't there before? Or get it over and done with before they get worse and require more work to fix, while i don't have children and work a job that would allow me the recovery without financial loss. Would my surgeon do both so I don't have to go through it twice?

If someone was to tell me the recovery is not that bad and they have been pain free and the bunion has not come back, I don't think i would hesitate. But reading other blogs and forums people say recovery is excruciating!

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

Next
  • sharon39182
    sharon39182 Jinky89

    Posted

    Good Morning

    Iam like yourself, I have been with no pain all summer but I know this is due to wearing flip flops and trainers!! I am having surgery on the 6th Novmber and am dreading this but I am trying to be positive and think If I have this done now whilst I am still young it will help me in the long run and winter is coming upon us, I do not want to be in high heels again just to be able to wear boots comfortable smile go for it just get NET FLIX In good luck

    • Jinky89
      Jinky89 sharon39182

      Posted

      Good luck and do come back and let me know how you get on! My appointment isn't till the 30th Oct.

      Are you having both feet done?

      I have never been into heels although it would be nice to slip some on for a nice night out without worrying. I want to be able to buy shoes without it being such a hard task. Can't have them or them, they aren't wide enough or soft enough...Every new pair I do suffer until my bunion makes its bed! Hate new shoes 😣

    • sharon39182
      sharon39182 Jinky89

      Posted

      Hi 

      No I am only having my left foot done, I just keep thinking how quick 2017 has gone and this time last year the pain was just starting so I know it is going to be a long haul but will be worth it xxxxxxxx  I am like you I loved my shoes I had boxes of them and now they are very boring it restricts everything i wear as I am short also so I am thinking that I am not going back to heels but if i want to wear them on special occasions i can xxx 

    • sharon39182
      sharon39182 Jinky89

      Posted

      Well I’ve had it done !!! And it’s all good 7 weeks P.O. now the op went well the only frustration is not being able to drive and to get around but looking back now it flew by xxx I’ve learnt not to take anything for granted xxx
  • laticia97999
    laticia97999 Jinky89

    Posted

    Hi ,I had bunion surgery on July the 28th the first week and half I was in terrible pain not goin to lie it hurts day in and day out the first two weeks.But now my pain has subsided but still got swelling every now and then but the Doctor told that's normal it may go on like that for 6 months to a year other than that I am glad I did it because it was causing me so much pain in my feet.The recovery will take a minute but in the end I think it's well worth it.Good luck!!!!

  • pamela68350
    pamela68350 Jinky89

    Posted

    Hi Jinky, I put off getting my bunion done for 20 years till it was classed as severe and couldn't find shoes shoes to fit.  It got to the point of having to get shoes made or have the bunion op.  I will say that I never had any pain whatsoever with my bunion but  y big toe had started growing over my second toe.   To cut a long story short I left it too long as my surgeon said my bo es may not be strong enough to take the screws. Because of this he did the McBride procedure which is shaving the bunion and releasing the tendon that was pulling my toe over.   I had this op 4 weeks ago, it is a lot quicker recovery because it is not so invasive or painful and no bonecutting.  In other words my foot will be narrower but not completely perfect and there is always the chance that the bunion will grow back again,but I will be happy just to be able fit into shoes again and be able to wear thongs. I would advise you not to put it off too long like me if you want your toe quite straight.   Mine will still have a curve to it but it is looking so much better now.  Just waiting for swelling to go down where the bunion was shaved.  Good luck.

    • pamela68350
      pamela68350 sharon39182

      Posted

      You have got nothing to lose with this procedure. Quick recovery and just had a bit of discomfort the next day but not really bad. It is a lot less invasive, as I say my toe will still have a slight curve and not completely perfect but a lot narrower and able to fit into shoes, any shoes and where heels.  With no bone cutting there is no chance of a stiff toe afterwards.  Good luck.   Keep us posted.
    • Quigs49
      Quigs49 pamela68350

      Posted

      Can I ask did you ask for this procedure or was it offered?  I am supposed to be having the procedure where they will cut my bones and screw them back together while cutting a slice off the bunion.  I have had to postpone due to commitments and face the prospect of having it done in Feb 2018.  Reading all the posts I would rather opt for having the bunion shaved and not such invasive surgery.  I am like Sharon39182 in the summer I have no pain and it comes in the winter if my footwear isn't wide enough.  

      With my youngest son getting married next year I don't think I want to even contemplate such invasive surgery before then.  I wish the consultants would allow the option to chose.

      Good luck to all who are going through this.

    • laticia97999
      laticia97999 Quigs49

      Posted

      Hi,I ask for the procedure due to having so much pain in my feet I knew that having the bones fixed and shaving off part of the bunion would stop the pain.I got pins in my foot I wish u best of luck if u decide to go through with it.I don't have that pain in my foot anymore to  me it was well worth it a lot of pain the first week and a half but in the long run It was the best thing I"ve done. Wish u the best!!!

    • laticia97999
      laticia97999 sharon39182

      Posted

      Hi ,Sharon.My right foot was done 8 week ago today and doin well actually but the first two weeks so painful.Have to keep elevated because of the swelling and use crutches for about two weeks or longer just depending on u.I needed the surgery due too having so much pain in my feet and ankles every day.My big toe still slanted but not like it was have pins and screws put in to align the toes up feel good no problems no pain still having a little bit of swelling can't get any shoes on this foot doctor recommend a wide shoe.Good luck!!

    • pamela68350
      pamela68350 Quigs49

      Posted

      Hi Quigs, No I didn't ask for this particular procedure. My surgeon recommended this to me because I had been diagnosed with moderate osteoporosis after putting bunion surgery off for 20 years and my bunion was classed as severe. I am sorry now that I didn't have it done years ago when it wasn't so bad and my bones were stronger.   But I will be happy just to have a narrower foot and to fit into shoes again.  I don't know which country you are in but when I was checking into minimally invasive surgery  I found out about the Bosch technique that they do in the European Foot Institute in Sussex, England and Germany.   I am English but live in  Australia and was contemplating going to England for this op as it is a lot less invasive and is done by keyhole surgery and a lot less recovery time.   Anyway I opted to get it done here in Perth Western Australia instead.    It is 4 weeks today and am walking quite well now and doing foot exercises, swelling is getting better but still swollen where the bunion was shaved. Didn't have much pain at all, only felt it the following day after the op but even then wasn't in agony with it. Another week or two I'm sure I will be able to wear my sneakers and then I will be able to drive.   Quite a quick recovery but only because I didn't have any bone cutting or screws.   Hope this helps.

  • len46291
    len46291 Jinky89

    Posted

    Hi Jinky I am 74  and they hurt all the time except like you when wearing trainers.I have had an appointment to have both done together .But I cancelled and am waiting another appointment.

    After reading all these reports about all the things that go wrong it has made me wonder am I going from the frying pan into the fire. So don’t read anymore and have it done while you are young as they will only get worse.Hope this helps

    Len

    • pamela68350
      pamela68350 len46291

      Posted

      Hi Len, read my answer to Jinky and I am 73. Had to have bone density test before I had it done,   the results revealed I had moderate osteoporosis which meant it was risky to cut bone and insert screws, but the surgeon said he would do the McBride procedure which just means that they shave the bunion and release the tendon, a lot less invasive.
    • Jinky89
      Jinky89 len46291

      Posted

      This is my fear of it getting worse. Based on how my mums have gone and she didn't have them at my age. I feel that while they are only mild-moderate the surgery won't be as drastic.

    • pamela68350
      pamela68350 Jinky89

      Posted

      Hi Jinky, yes get it done while your young and your bones are strong, you will heal a lot better too. I put it off because I listened to other people putting me off all the time, I regret that now.   Just do your homework and go for an orthopaedic surgeon that has a good reputation in this area.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.