A bunion isn’t a life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention like some cancers and tumors, but that doesn’t mean you should keep putting off a corrective operation. Whether you should move on with a corrective procedure depends on a few key factors and a recommendation from your treating physician. We take a look at the factors that help determine whether or not you can put off bunion surgery or if it would be best to undergo an operation in today’s blog.
Putting Off Bunion Surgery
When it comes to deciding whether to move forward with a corrective bunion procedure or consider different options, you have to look at the totality of the condition. For starters, a bunion is considered a progressive condition, meaning that without intervention, it’s only going to get worse. Bunions also get harder to treat as the problem progresses, so you shouldn’t put off treatment. That said, surgery doesn’t need to be your first option.
For many patients with mild symptoms and deformation, non-surgical measures can be all that they need. Common conservative care techniques include:
- Changes to footwear
- Special padding inside shoes
- Splinting
- Limiting certain footwear options like heels or closed-toe shoes
- Weight loss
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Used in combination with one another, many patients who catch their bunion at an early stage find that symptoms and bunion progression alleviate or stop altogether. However, these interventions will not reverse the damage that has been done, so while they may make it more bearable, the possibility of surgery still looms down the road if the condition begins to slowly progress again.
For those patients with moderate to severe bunions who are questioning whether or not they should put off surgery, the best advice we can give is to meet with a foot specialist and get an individualized diagnosis. Bunion surgery is more successful when it’s performed at an earlier stage before the big toe joint has become excessively deformed, so oftentimes the recommendation will be for surgery. Not because you need it right this very moment, but because it will allow the doctor to preserve more healthy tissue and leave you with more flexibility, range of motion and normal joint function.
So to answer the question of whether or not you can delay your bunion operation, it really depends on the severity of your condition. If your doctor believes that surgery is the best option, it’s best not to put off that operation for too long, because it will only serve to hurt your long-term outcomes. If you’re interested in learning more about your options for the bony prominence on your big toe joint, reach out to Dr. Neufeld and the experienced team of foot specialists at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics.
FAQs
While we'd always recommend that you pursue conservative care whenever possible, if you do need bunion surgery, you really shouldn't wait very long to get it. Your bunion will continue to worsen, putting you through unnecessary pain.
Can you wait too long to have bunion surgery? ›
As the bunion worsens, it can become increasingly difficult to find comfortable footwear, and the deformity may progress to the point where non-surgical treatments are no longer effective. Additionally, delaying surgery can result in a more complex procedure, which may lead to a longer recovery period.
Is it better to get bunion surgery early? ›
As a bunion progresses, it can become debilitating and affect your quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. That's why it's important to address this condition as soon as you can.
How bad do bunions have to be before surgery? ›
You may need bunion surgery if you have severe foot pain that happens even when walking or wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Surgery may also be needed when chronic big toe inflammation and swelling isn't relieved with rest or medicines.
What will happen if I don't get bunion surgery? ›
Ignoring a bunion can lead to serious complications. Without bunion treatment, bunions can continue to grow. They will push your big toe inward towards the neighboring toe, which can be painful. Likewise, they can grow so large that is painful to wear shoes.
Why isn't bunion surgery recommended? ›
Prolonged swelling, infection, and deep vein thrombosis can result from this treatment. Some of the other possible complications include over- or under-correction, loss of correction, joint stiffness, and nerve entrapment.
What is the new procedure for bunions? ›
Lapiplasty® is a new procedure using patented technology to correct not only the bunion, but its root cause. It straightens three dimensions of alignment of the metatarsal bone. First, it corrects the sideways lean of your metatarsal bone.
What does a severe bunion look like? ›
The signs and symptoms of a bunion include: A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe. Swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint. Corns or calluses — these often develop where the first and second toes rub against each other.
Is bunion surgery worth the risk? ›
Bunion surgery generally has a high success rate, with approximately 90-95% of patients experiencing positive outcomes. Most patients report long-term pain relief and improved quality of life, with 92.8% indicating an enhancement in their overall well-being.
Do bunions get worse without surgery? ›
Bunions can worsen over time and become painful if your shoes are not an adequate width for your foot. High-heeled shoes also influence the development of a bunion by increasing pressure on the forefoot. As bunions become worse, they can become painful or the lesser toes can become painful.
Are You a Candidate for Surgery? In general, if your bunion is not painful, you do not need surgery. Although bunions often get bigger over time, doctors do not recommend surgery to prevent bunions from worsening.
How can I shrink my bunions naturally? ›
- Massage and Exercise Your Feet. One of the simplest ways to treat your bunions without surgery is to, in fact, exercise your feet. ...
- Take a Paracetamol. ...
- Soak Your Feet in a Foot Bath. ...
- Ice Your Feet. ...
- Put Your Feet Up! ...
- Try Castor Oil. ...
- Try Bunion Pads. ...
- Try Bunion Splints.
Bunion surgery costs depend on the type of surgery you have, where you have the procedure, your health insurance or Medicare coverage, and more. Generally, if your bunion pain is leading to physical limitations, and surgery is deemed medically necessary by your podiatrist, insurance will cover the procedure.
What percentage of bunion surgeries fail? ›
But with the unstable joint still at its foundation, the root cause of the bunion deformity is not addressed and, as a result, is prone to return. Foot and ankle experts estimate that for 87 percent of people with bunions, two-dimensional traditional bunion surgery fails to get to the true source of the problem.
Do bunions get worse with age? ›
Bunions develop gradually over time. Without the right care, like changing your footwear or using orthotics, bunions can get worse over time. As a person gets older and ages or gains weight, our feet spread and that worsens the problems already in place or triggers the development of bunions.
What percentage of bunion surgeries are successful? ›
Q: Will bunion surgery fix my bunions permanently? A: Bunion surgery is an effective solution for most people as it has an approximate success rate of 85-90%.
How do you know if your bunion is bad? ›
Although bunions often require no medical treatment, see your doctor or a doctor who specializes in treating foot disorders (podiatrist or orthopedic foot specialist) if you have: Ongoing big toe or foot pain. A visible bump on your big toe joint. Decreased movement of your big toe or foot.
Will insurance pay for bunion surgery? ›
Bunion surgery costs depend on the type of surgery you have, where you have the procedure, your health insurance or Medicare coverage, and more. Generally, if your bunion pain is leading to physical limitations, and surgery is deemed medically necessary by your podiatrist, insurance will cover the procedure.
