What to expect during and after minimally invasive bunion surgery
Written in association with:
Orthopaedic surgeon
Published: 16/10/2024
Edited by: Aoife Maguire
Bunions are a common foot condition where the big toe pushes against the adjacent toes, leading to a painful, bony bump on the side of the foot. For many individuals, bunions can cause discomfort, swelling, and make everyday activities challenging.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is a modern, less invasive option designed to correct this deformity with smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and a potentially quicker recovery time. If you're considering this procedure, understanding what to expect before, during, and after the surgery can help you feel more confident and prepared. Distinguished consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mrs Natasha Hossain explains more about the process.
What to expect during and after minimally invasive bunion surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is a modern approach for correcting bunions, a common foot deformity where the big toe deviates towards the other toes, causing a bony bump on the side of the foot. This condition, medically known as hallux valgus, can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Unlike traditional bunion surgery, minimally invasive techniques involve smaller incisions and less tissue disruption, which often lead to a quicker recovery and less post-operative discomfort.
If you’re considering this type of surgery, it’s helpful to know what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
What happens during minimally invasive bunion surgery?
In minimally invasive bunion surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions, often less than a centimetre long, near the affected area. Through these tiny openings, specialised surgical tools and an imaging device called a fluoroscope are used. The fluoroscope provides live X-ray images, guiding the surgeon to osteotomise (break) the bone and realign it.
Unlike open surgery, where a large incision exposes the joint, this approach minimises the amount of soft tissue that needs to be moved, which reduces trauma to the surrounding muscles and ligaments. The goal is to correct the position of the bones in the big toe and relieve any associated pain. Most surgeries take between 30 to 45 minutes, and they’re typically performed under either a general or regional anaesthesia (where you remain awake but won’t feel pain in the area.
How long will recovery take?
Recovery time can vary based on the extent of the surgery and your individual healing process. With minimally invasive surgery, most patients are able to walk on their treated foot within a few hours of the procedure, although you’ll likely need to wear a special surgical shoe to protect your foot as it heals.
For the first two weeks after surgery, you’ll be advised to keep your foot elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. During this period, you may also experience mild to moderate pain, which is often manageable with over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
After two weeks, your surgeon will remove any stitches, and you’ll continue to weight bear in the surgical shoes for a further 2 to 4 weeks. After 6 weeks you should be able to migrate to wearing comfortable shoes with ample toe room. However, strenuous activities and high-impact exercises should generally be avoided for 12 weeks to allow the bones to heal fully.
Are there any risks involved?
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is generally safe, but as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks. These can include infection, swelling, delayed bone healing, stiffness in the big toe joint. The recurrence rate of bunions are variable and cause for this is still not known.
Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you and explain the measures they’ll take to minimise them. They may also provide you with instructions on how to care for your foot post-surgery, including wound care, gentle exercises, and when to resume normal activities.
What kind of results can you expect?
Patients often experience significant pain relief and improvement in foot alignment after minimally invasive bunion surgery. However, it’s important to keep realistic expectations. While this surgery is highly effective for relieving pain and restoring foot function, the appearance of the foot may still show some slight prominence depending on the severity of the original bunion.
As with any surgery, final results will also depend on adherence to post-operative instructions and follow-up appointments. Proper care and patience during recovery will greatly influence the overall success of the surgery. Many patients return to daily activities with little to no discomfort and enjoy wearing regular shoes again.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery offers a promising option for those looking to relieve bunion-related pain and discomfort with less downtime than traditional surgery. By knowing what to expect during and after the procedure, you can make informed decisions about your care and enjoy the benefits of a smoother recovery process.
If you require bunion surgery and would like to book a consultation with Mrs Hossain, simply visit her Top Doctors profile today.