What Happens If Bunion Surgery Does Not Work?
Most bunions can be treated without an operation, but sometimes surgical procedures are needed to relieve pain and deformity. Unfortunately, in some cases bunion repairs fail and the pain or deformity returns. There are multiple factors that can contribute to this challenging scenario. Bunions can recur because of medical conditions or non-healing of the bone after surgery. In some cases, there are technical aspects that can be improved to achieve the desired result with additional surgery.
The goal of correcting a failed bunion repair, using a procedure called revision surgery, is to relieve pain and deformity of the first toe that remains after the initial surgery. Sometimes arthritis develops after bunion surgery. This may require a different procedure than the first. It is important to figure out why the first surgery failed to prevent another failure.
Symptoms
Revision surgery is for those with deformity and pain after bunion surgery. The pain may be the same or different from that experienced before the first surgery. Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon will examine deformities of bones and joints and their various angles around the first toe.
Revision bunion surgery is not advised for patients with poor blood flow or certain nerve conditions. Bunions should not be revised if they are painless and do not cause problems. No bunion surgery should be performed solely to make the foot look better.
Treatment
Revision surgery typically takes a little longer to perform than the first procedure because it can be more complicated due to scar tissue and altered anatomy. Incisions are made around the first toe and by the arch of the foot. Special instructions may include wrapping, protection with boots or braces, and limited activity. Usually this is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day as surgery.
There are numerous accepted methods of correcting a bunion. Some are treated with a bone cut of the first toe, while others require a fusion. Hardware in the form of plates and/or screws may be used to maintain corrections or hold fusions solid.
Recovery
Recovery will take at least as long as the first surgery. After surgery, you will be placed in a brace or shoe. You will have to avoid putting weight on the foot or only put weight on the heel for a period of time determined by your surgeon. Sutures usually are removed two weeks after surgery.
Risks and Complications
All surgeries come with possible complications, including the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, damage to nerves and blood vessels, and bleeding or blood clots.
Revision surgery is challenging and there is a greater risk of complications. The bone may fail to heal or may heal in a less than optimal position. The nerves closest to incisions may be damaged, creating numbness, burning or pain. There also is a risk that another part of the foot will become irritated. Wound complications, infections, problems with blood flow and prolonged swelling are more likely. Hardware may become bothersome and require removal.
FAQs
My bunion has started to come back but it doesn't bother me. Do I need surgery?
Generally, no. Bunion surgery is for deformity with pain. Surgery is not recommended if you feel well despite the bunion.
Original article by Adam Miller, MD
Last reviewed by David Lee, MD, 2018
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FAQs
For individuals who have undergone a bunionectomy procedure, but are unsatisfied with the results, revision bunion surgery can be a very viable option for restoring motion and/or natural toe position to the big toe joint. Revision bunion surgery involves properly addressing the shortcoming of the original surgeon.
Can bunion surgery be done twice? ›
That's because a revision foot surgery can be performed by a specialist experienced in bunion revision surgeries to help restore motion and anatomical alignment at the great toe while improving the foot's cosmetic appearance and relieving pain symptoms.
Is there a bunion corrector that actually works? ›
Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe.
What is the failure rate of bunion surgery? ›
During that time, you may experience pain, swelling, and stiffness. In addition, you may require physical therapy to help you regain full function of the affected foot. Another reason to avoid bunion surgery is the high failure rate. Studies have shown that bunion surgery has a failure rate of up to 40%.
What happens when bunion surgery fails? ›
The nerves closest to incisions may be damaged, creating numbness, burning or pain. There also is a risk that another part of the foot will become irritated. Wound complications, infections, problems with blood flow and prolonged swelling are more likely. Hardware may become bothersome and require removal.
Why did my bunion surgery fail? ›
Undercorrection, overcorrection, nonunion and malunion remain the most common causes of failed bunion surgery. Although patient factors definitely contribute to disappointing outcomes, most failures are the result of poor surgical decisions and/or poor surgical technique.
Why is my bunion coming back after surgery? ›
Most bunion procedures involves shifting the head of the bone over and securing it with a pin or screw. This temporarily reduces the "bump" on the side of the toe, but fails to address the instability of the joint. Because of this, up to 40-60% of these procedures fail and the bunion returns over time.
What is overcorrection of bunion surgery? ›
Sometimes, the first foot surgeon might have overcorrected the bunion, such as by tightening the ligaments too much, removing the sesamoid bone, or removing too much of the other bone mass. To address the overcorrection, the reconstructive foot surgeon might make revision bone cuts or fuse the big toe joint in place.
Why won't my big toe move after bunion surgery? ›
After bunion surgery and 6 weeks in a post-operative shoe, your muscles in your foot especially surrounding your big toe joint weaken and stiffen up. This in combination with swelling surrounding the joint reduces the range of motion in your big toe joint.
What is the new technology to remove bunions? ›
Lapiplasty has been called a “paradigm shift ” in bunion correction surgery. The surgeon no longer has to cut freehand. A patented instrument holds the metatarsal bone in correct position in all three dimensions at the same time before the surgeon makes any cuts.
Other non-surgical treatments for bunions include injections of cortisone or oral anti-inflammatory medication and wearing custom-made shoes that accommodate the bunion deformity. Both help provides comfort and relieve pain, but do not reduce the abnormal angles that underlie the bunion deformity.
What is the best bunion corrector for podiatrists? ›
Caretras Bunion Corrector
If you're looking to help temporarily realign your bunion, consider using this corrector recommended by Sharkey. It helps relieve discomfort, pressure, and inflammation by constantly applying gentle pressure when on.
What is the most successful bunion surgery? ›
Corrects all three deformities: Since lapiplasty corrects all three shifts in the metatarsal bone that lead to bunions, it is much more effective at treating them than osteotomy or any nonsurgical bunion treatment. This way, lapiplasty restores your foot and the big toe to their normal alignment.
What is the most severe bunion surgery? ›
Arthrodesis: Sometimes, arthritis inflammation can lead to bunions. In arthrodesis joint fusion, your surgeon removes any parts of the big toe joint that have arthritis. Your surgeon then places screws in the toe to hold the bones together while they heal. This surgery is only done with the most severe of bunions.
Can screws move after a bunionectomy? ›
If the screws move after surgery, it can cause the bones to shift out of their proper alignment, leading to additional pain and discomfort for the patient. A few factors that can contribute to screw movement after bunionectomy are: Improper placement of the screws during podiatric surgery.
Why do I still have a bunion after bunion surgery? ›
Sometimes You Can't Stop a Bunion
If your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents had bunions, then there's a good chance their genetics are to blame for your own. Since your genetics influence bunion formation, they can—unfortunately—also temper the results of surgery.
How fast can a bunion come back after surgery? ›
So about 1 in 100 patients have their bunion return after 2 years. Whilst this percentage may increase over time, I have confidence that this is unlikely because of the power of correction possible when performing keyhole bunion surgery.
How soon can a bunion come back after surgery? ›
It may be several years before bunions appear again but it can happen. One of the main reasons that bunions reoccur is because of genetic predisposition. Since bunions tend to be hereditary, even after surgery you may find that bunions appear in the same or new areas of your feet.
