Severe bunion but mild pain

You say you don't experience pain but if you walk a good distance in the wrong shoes are you not then experiencing pain and discomfort and aren't your bunions red?  I was the same as you and have had operations to both, one at a time a year apart.  If they are severe then it will have to be lapidus which means a longer helping time.  It was found that I had arthritis in one which has since become worse so I do have to watch what shoes I wear or I am in pain.  Would I have the operations again, yes, I have lovely looking feet and can walk for miles with trainers, go for a night out in heels if I don't have to walk far.  I was unlucky with my second foot but I I would still get rid of those ugly feet which will become more of a problem later on anyway.

Hi, Helen! 

I'm curious - what would be the other reason for removing the bunions?  Because they are unsightly?  I actually had a similar thought.  I kept saying "Do I REALLY need to do this?"  I had surgery on Friday to remove my first bunion.  It was a mild one, but was causing pain as I have a very active lifestyle and I also like to wear heels.  My other bunion is even smaller, but I still plan on having it removed in a couple of weeks because bunions tend to be progressive.  That's great that you're not experiencing much pain now, but you may in the future and as we get older, our bodies struggle to heal as quickly.  We can always come up with reasons to delay doing this procedure because it is not very convenient; however, doing it now and having the rest of our lives bunion free is totally worth it in my opinion!

My procedure went well and while I had some pain the first couple of days, I was able to walk and get around.  Now I have virtually no pain at all and I'm just 4 days post op! 

I am 40 and I have tailor's bunions on each foot. The left is worse than the right. On the left one it is starting to touch the forth toe, and it is also not even touching the ground. Both are constantly red all of the time. I can go two days with wearing no shoes or socks and they will still be bright red. They really do hurt when I play basketball, jogging, or walking long distances. I have been trying the conservative measures for the last year and a half. I believe it to be a waste of time. I have also kept asking myself is this really what I want to do, but I really don't want to wait 10 to 20 more years to get it done. I could only imagine how worse they will be. I am meeting with an orthopedic doctor this week.

Hi Helen, I really understand how you feel about getting your bunions operated on. I have a large bunion on my right foot which doesn't give me any pain but the most annoying thing is finding shoes to fit, it is becoming a real headache for me. The bunion doesn't hinder my walking at all.   I have been thinking of having it operated on for the last three years but keep putting it off as I am very nervous about results too and don't want to end up worse than before.   I would have it done tomorrow if I could have the minimally invasive surgery that is done in Sussex and Germany and they also have an easier op in America called tightrope bunion surgery both ops have a lot quicker recovery time and not so ruthless as the common bunion ops. I live in Australia but no one hear does this more less invasive surgery and have not had any recommendations for a good surgeon.  I keep thinking of going to UK for this op but it is a big thing to organize, accommodation etc. Which country do you live? And I'd like to know what you think about what I've said in this post.