Bunions are bony bumps at the joint in the base of the big toe, where it meets the foot. Bunions typically happen when bones in the area become aligned incorrectly.

Bunion surgery can remove a significant bunion deformity if conservative treatments are not helping enough. The surgery:

• Can improve your pain and mobility if options like wider shoes and orthotics don’t help
• Can be customized depending on your situation. Your surgeon will determine which is the best fit for you.

What is bunion surgery?

Bunion surgery is a common procedure that adjusts the bones in the foot to remove the bunion. The surgery can shrink the bunion and reduce pain.

When is bunion surgery recommended?

Your doctor may first suggest wearing wider shoes, using pads and spacers, or trying an orthotic. If these don’t make you more comfortable, surgery can be an option.

How bunion surgery works

There are many ways to treat bunions with surgery. Your surgeon will recommend the method that will work best for you.

Minimally invasive surgery, where the surgeon makes a very small incision, may be possible. You may need to just have swollen tissue around the joint removed. Or you may need to have bones in front of your foot realigned, or the bunion joint itself permanently fused.

Your doctor will close your incision with stitches at the end of your surgery.

How long does bunion surgery take?

Most bunion surgeries take two to three hours.

After surgery, you probably won’t be able to put weight on your foot for up to six weeks. After that, you may start wearing a boot or a brace and begin physical therapy.

How to prepare for bunion surgery

Before surgery: Your care team will give you detailed instructions to help you prepare for surgery. You will also meet with the Pre-Operative Medicine Clinic and with a physical therapist.

Driving home: You will need somebody to drive you home.

Medications: If you take blood thinners, you should stop them before surgery. You may also need to stop medicines that suppress your immune system. Your care team will review that with you.

Bunion surgery recovery

Your care team will talk to you about what you can expect as you recover from surgery. 

Pain: Bunion surgery can be painful. You may have swelling and pain after the pain medicine you got during surgery wears off. You will most likely get pain medicine when you go home. 

Swelling: You might have a lot of swelling in the first two weeks after surgery. If you can, take time off work to rest at home and keep your foot elevated. 

Follow-up appointments: You will have a follow-up appointment after two or three weeks to remove your stitches. You may have another one after six weeks for imaging tests. You may also see a physical therapist.