Bunion Surgery
Providing Expert Bunion Surgery in Sugar Land, TX
A foot bunion is a bony lump that forms on the first joint of the big toe at the point where it attaches to your foot. Bunions typically cause foot pain and swelling, which can limit mobility and affect your quality of life.
At Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, we offer a variety of bunion treatment options, including bunion surgery, in Sugar Land, TX. Bunion removal surgery removes the lump and realigns the joint. We offer different types of bunion surgery depending on your symptoms and the complexity of the bunion, including bunionectomy, joint realignment, and reconstructive foot surgery to address a previous failed bunion surgery. We also offer minimally invasive bunion surgery and education on bunion management and prevention.
What Are the Symptoms of Bunions?
The most common symptom of a bunion is a growth, like a bony bump, at the base of your big toe. Other bunion symptoms are:
- Pain in your big toe
- Stiffness in your big toe
- Swelling
- Redness or discoloration
- Trouble moving your big toe, walking, or wearing certain shoes
- Corns or calluses
- Hammertoes
- Numbness around your big toe
Surgical Techniques
Like most other aspects of medical science, bunion surgery has come a long way in recent years. The earlier you visit a foot doctor, the less invasive surgery you will require.
Bunionectomy: Patients with relatively minor deformities may undergo a simple bunionectomy, during which the wayward bone section is cut and removed. A bunionectomy involves a minimal incision and allows the patient to get back on her feet quickly.
Joint Realignment: If you have a more severe deformity, your foot doctor may opt for one of several different kinds of joint realignment. The utilization of a pain pump can help manage pain during surgery.
Steps Involved in Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery aims to remove your bunion and eliminate foot pain, swelling, and joint stiffness associated with this condition. If the foot bunion has caused a deformity in the joint of your big toe, your foot doctor will also perform a corrective procedure to improve your foot’s shape and restore lost mobility.
- Most bunionectomy procedures don’t require general anesthesia. Instead, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your foot from the ankle down. You or your podiatrist may also opt for a sedative to help you feel more comfortable during the procedure.
- Your foot doctor will make an incision in the toe near the bunion and remove the excess bone. This portion of the procedure is called a bunionectomy.
- In cases where joint realignment is required, your podiatrist will cut and realign the bones of the joint to restore its natural shape. This may also require realignment of the ligaments in your foot as well. The bones may be fused or held in place with plates or screws.
- Any incisions are sutured, and your foot is bandaged. You may remain under observation until the local anesthesia wears off, after which you can return home to recover.
Recent Advancements in Bunion Surgery
Surgical techniques are constantly being revised to achieve better results and shorten recovery time for bunion surgery. You can reach a foot doctor at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling 281-825-3121 to explore your bunion treatment options in Sugar Land.
Advancements in surgical hardware allow patients to resume walking in a protective boot shortly after surgery. Walking after your bunion surgery can help you remain more mobile throughout recovery and reduce any post-surgical risks associated with casts, crutches, or immobility.
Newer surgical approaches utilize smaller incisions and less removal or realignment of soft tissues during bunion surgery, which reduces postoperative pain and swelling for greater comfort. The use of smaller incisions also reduces the size and appearance of scarring on the foot.
Long-Term Management & Prevention
Whether you choose minimally invasive bunion surgery or would prefer to manage your condition non-surgically, our specialists can help. We will answer any questions about bunion treatment and management and offer education on long-term bunion management and prevention. We can help you reduce your risk of future bunions and help you manage the pain and other symptoms associated with your bunion. Some ways to manage and prevent bunions are:
- Wearing wider shoes and avoiding tight shoes or shoes with pointed toes
- Ensure your shoes fit properly
- Using bunion pads to cushion your toe
- Getting custom orthotic devices
- Undergoing physical therapy
Contact Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists
Our foot doctors at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists have decades of experience treating foot conditions. We use state-of-the-art technology and treatment options to help our patients manage foot pain and accelerate healing. Call us now or contact us online to schedule an appointment to discuss bunion surgery in Sugar Land, TX. We will run tests and perform an examination to give you a formal diagnosis of bunions and then go over your bunion treatment options.