If you have a painful, protruding bump along the side of your big toe, you have a bunion. Unfortunately, bunions typically worsen with age and may become extremely painful. If your bunions are becoming debilitating, you may be searching for options. The experts from Foot & Ankle Specialists in Blue Ash, Cincinnati, and Franklin, OH, are here to explain what to know if you’re considering bunion surgery.

If your bunions are causing pain, visit a local foot specialist. In many mild to moderate cases, surgery may not be necessary. Instead, treatment may involve changing shoes, wearing orthotics, or receiving cortisone shot injections. Others need a more robust option. If you can no longer enjoy activities you once did, such as walking your dog or going on hikes, then surgery may be for you.

Bunion surgery can be completed in just one visit to a foot specialist. Before the procedure, the doctor will give the patient anesthetic to numb the pain and relieve anxiety and discomfort. The procedure involves shaving the protrusion down and correcting the deformity of the toes. In some cases, the doctor may use a tiny screw to keep the bone in place.

After the procedure, you can leave the office on the same day. You will need to wear a doctor-issued boot for about a month afterward, and your wound will heal in about six weeks. You may experience bruising, swelling, and some level of pain and discomfort. Some patients may require physical therapy in order to resume more demanding physical activities.

When bunions become too severe, more extensive surgery will be necessary. A foot specialist may need to replace the toe joints or fuse bones together. As soon as you experience bunion-related foot pain, visit the doctor to receive the treatment you need.  

To learn more about bunion surgery and other treatments for foot pain, contact the professionals from Foot & Ankle Specialists today. Call the Blue Ash practice at (513) 769-4408, Cincinnati at (513) 541-5709, and Franklin at (513) 423-0672. You can also visit the website to learn more.