Bunionectomy

For most bunion surgeries, a surgeon makes an incision along the big toe joint and repositions the big toe. The surgeon may also realign the tendons and ligaments around the joint.

A procedure in which a surgeon uses a smaller incision and a less-invasive technique, shortening recovery time. 

You might be a good candidate for bunion surgery if your big toe drifts toward the smaller toes, you experience pain that interferes with daily activities, or you have swelling and inflammation in your big toe that doesn’t go away with rest, medication, or a change in footwear.

As with any surgery, complications can happen. Some possible complications from a bunionectomy are stiffness, numbness, swelling, infection of the incision, and a bunion recurrence.

Before deciding on a surgical solution to your bunion problems, you might want to consider the alternatives. They include changing footwear, using orthotic devices, exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness or arthritis, and wearing a splint while you sleep. 

A bunion surgery should alleviate pain and restore function to enable you to walk more easily. 

Your health insurance provider may require you to get a referral from your primary care provider to see a surgeon about a bunionectomy.

You can always get a second or third opinion, but it isn’t required. 

Your health history will be compiled and available to the team before, during, and after surgery. If you’re a Hancock Health patient, we will be able to access your records within our system. If you aren’t, we will work with your doctors to get the necessary information. 

Your surgical team will evaluate the situation and help you make a choice that’s right for you and your health. Temporary treatments might be used if your surgery is rescheduled. 

Consult the Price Transparency Tool at HancockRegionalHospital.org for an idea of how much a bunionectomy might cost.

Medicare parts A and B will cover the cost of bunion surgery, but it’s important for your doctor to indicate that the surgery is medically necessary. 

You’ll probably be instructed not to eat anything after midnight on the day of your surgery, and you might also be told to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements.

You’ll arrive several hours before your surgery and be escorted to the preoperative waiting area.You’ll remove all of your clothing and jewelry, and put on a hospital gown. (Your valuables will be placed in a secure area or may be given to a family member.) You’ll sign any necessary paperwork and a preoperative nurse will take your vital signs, review your medications, and answer any questions.You’ll meet your anesthesiologist and the members of your surgery team. They will mark the location of your surgery on your body. An I.V. (intravenous line) will be placed in your hand or arm, so medications—including general anesthesia—can be administered. If you’re using a different kind of anesthesia, you’ll receive an injection.When it’s time for your surgery, you will be wheeled into the operating suite on a stretcher.

In addition to the surgeon, you have an anesthesiologist, nurses—some of them specialize in working with patients and others assist the surgeon—and support staff, who get you checked in and out, compile your records, and more. They all work together, performing their individual jobs, so the procedure is as successful as possible. 

Anything you’ll need for an overnight stay, including a change of underwear, a sweatshirt, glasses or contacts, headphones, and your medications. Most bunion surgery is outpatient, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.

You’ll breathe oxygen through a mask and our team will track your vital signs as the surgery is performed.

Bunion surgery typically takes between 45 minutes and three hours. 

While the length of a hospital stay depends on each patient’s individual needs, patients typically leave on the same day as their surgery. 

After surgery, you’ll be escorted to the recovery room. As you start to regain feeling in your foot, you’ll receive pain medication. After leaving the recovery room, you’ll be taken to your hospital room where you will be able to see friends or family who came with you. 

You’ll be able to talk to your surgeon immediately after your procedure, while you’re in the recovery room.

 In most cases, patients receive pain medication immediately following surgery. 

You may be prescribed pain medication, anticoagulants, or other symptom-reducing medications.

Make sure you’ll have help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, showering, and doing laundry. If you live alone, our associates can help you find a temporary caretaker.

Our associates will help you arrange the postoperative care you’ll need.

Your stitches or staples will likely be removed during your first postoperative appointment with your surgeon, about two weeks after surgery. There will be a scar where the incision was made on your toe.

Change your dressing daily, starting two days after you leave the hospital. Don’t scrub the incision area.If you have steri-strips over your incision, they will fall off on their own within about two weeks.You may remove your dressing and shower two days after your surgery if there is no drainage from your incision. Carefully pat the incision dry after your shower and reapply the dressing.For about two weeks, don’t submerge your incision in water by taking a bath or getting in a pool or hot tub. When the incisions are completely healed, feel free to resume those activities.

If you have a desk job, you can probably return a few days after your procedure. If your job requires more physical movement, it could take longer.