Bunion Surgery: Time to Take the Plunge?

At some point, you have to go from talking about and planning things to actually doing them. You can talk about or even plan for a big trip or a party or getting into shape, but until you take the plunge and start doing something, nothing changes. Deciding to have bunion surgery is a big step, but if you really need it to correct a painful deformity, it might be time to take it and plunge right in.

Bunions are common deformities that create that painful red bump at the base of your big toe. They make wearing shoes uncomfortable and can get in the way of exercising and being active, too. Normally conservative treatment can alleviate the pain and prevent the deformity from worsening. If those treatments aren’t enough for your feet, however, surgery to actually fix the joint issue may be what you need.

Still, how do you know when it’s time to take that step and undergo bunion surgery? Any surgical procedure is big and interrupts your life to allow you to heal. It’s not something you undertake lightly. However, there are a number of signs that it may be time for you to take that plunge and have bunion surgery to correct your foot pain:

• You have a lot of pain – Your bunion hurts frequently, particularly when you’re up and using your foot.
• Your movement and activities are restricted – Because of your pain, you can’t walk as well or participate in normal daily activities.
• Conservative methods aren’t helping – Other treatments are not improving your pain or preventing the bunion from growing worse.
• The deformity is worsening – The deformity is getting bigger, your toes are slanting more, and your joints are growing stiff and unbendable.
• You can’t wear most shoes – The bulge on the side of your foot makes wearing most normal shoes difficult or impossible.

If these apply to you, it might be time to take that plunge and do something about your bunion by having bunion surgery.

Of course, you shouldn’t make these decisions by yourself. Our experts at Southern California Foot & Ankle Specialists will help you determine if a procedure is the right way to handle your bunion, as well as what surgery technique would best benefit your foot. Contact our Ladera Ranch office today for more information or an evaluation to get started. Just use our online forms or call (949) 364-9255 to connect with us.