Bunion removal

Alternative Names: Bunionectomy; Hallux valgus correction

Bunion removal is surgery to treat deformed bones of the big toe and foot. For more information on this type of deformity, see: Bunion

Description of Procedure

You will be awake during the procedure. You will be given anesthesia (numbing medicine) so that you will not feel pain and medicines to help you relax.

The surgeon makes a cut to around the toe joint and bones. The surgeon repairs the deformed joint and bones using pins, screws, plates, or a cast to keep the bones in place.

The surgeon may repair the bunion by:

• Making certain tendons or ligaments shorter or longer
• Arthrodesis, which involves taking out the damaged part of the joints and then using screws, wires, or a plate to hold the joint together
• Shaving off the bump on the toe joint
• Removing the damaged part of the joint
• Cutting parts of the bones on each side of the toe joint, then putting them in their proper position. This is called an osteotomy.

Risks of Bunion removal

Risks for any anesthesia include:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any type of surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clot
• Infection

Risks for bunion surgery include:

• Numbness in the big toe
• The wound does not heal well
• The surgery does not correct the problem
• Nerve damage
• Persistent pain

Bunion removal - series

Review Date: 2/19/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

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