Is the surgery painful? The level of pain experienced after bunion surgery differs from patient to patient. Most patients will experience discomfort for the first two to three days. However, if you closely follow the postoperative care instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.
What type of anesthesia is used? Most bunion surgeries involve local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. This means your foot will be numb, and you will receive medications to relax you during the procedure.
How soon can I walk after surgery? It depends on your bunion and the surgical procedure selected for you. You may be able to walk immediately, or just a few days after surgery, but if a more involved surgical procedure is required, it could be four to six weeks before you can fully bear weight on your foot.
How soon can I drive after surgery? You may be asked to avoid driving for three to six weeks depending on the procedure selected for you, which foot you use to drive, how fast you heal and other factors.
Can the bunion come back? Yes, some cases have a risk of bunion recurrence. You can help prevent this by following any instructions to wear arch supports or orthotics in your shoe.
If screws or plates are implanted in my foot to correct my bunion, will they set off metal detectors? Not usually. It depends on the device chosen for your procedure as well as how sensitive the metal detectors are.
Are most patients happy with their results? The success of bunion surgery depends upon many factors. Providing realistic expectations with respect to short term and long term goals is of the utmost importance. It is imperative to me, as your surgeon, that I prepare you for your pre-op and post-operative course, provide you with reasonable expectations for postop pain, return to shoes, return to the activities you enjoy, and the long term appearance and function of your foot. The best person to answer this question would be patients of mine, who have been treated by me. Review my online reviews and the testimonials here on my website for some insight!
To learn more about what to expect during bunion surgery, schedule an appointment for a consultation at our Eatontown or Toms River office
