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Will I Need Surgery On My Bunion? My Big Toe
Question: Will I need surgery on my bunion? My big toe now rests on top of my second toe which is very painful. I've been taking over the counter pain relievers for a year but they only help a short time. How long is recovery time after surgery if I need it. I see a specialist September 24, 2019.
Brief Answer:
Recovery depends on the surgical procedure, so you should strictly follow the instructions of the doctor but some general timeframes given below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query.
There are a few methods to operate on a bunion and this is a major factor that will decide the time of recovery. For instance, in some cases, patients may be allowed to put weight on that foot soon after the surgery but most of the time patients will be instructed to not put weight on that foot for a few weeks. This is a time that no pressure should be put on the bones so they can heal well.
After the surgery, the doctor will instruct you to wear a foot brace or something to support your foot and prevent pressure to the surgery area. While having these supportive boots or braces, you may be instructed to use crutches as well. The time the braces and crouches are needed can vary from patient to patient and can go up to 12 weeks.
Physiotherapy may be needed to help your foot regain the function. The swelling may take several months to go down and the patient may need 6 months to a year to go to normal walking.
To conclude:
- the recovery period is highly dependant on the kind of surgery you are going to have
- it is of paramount importance to strictly follow the instructions of your doctor when it comes to when you can bear weight on that foot, how long you should wear braces and foot supports or use crutches.
- as a general rule, a few weeks may be needed before you are advised to bear weight on that foot. For a few months, you will need to have braces and special boots to support your foot and prevent damage or recurring of the bunion. It may take several months for the bones to completely heal and up to a year for the swelling to go away and for you to be able to walk normally.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Recovery depends on the surgical procedure, so you should strictly follow the instructions of the doctor but some general timeframes given below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query.
There are a few methods to operate on a bunion and this is a major factor that will decide the time of recovery. For instance, in some cases, patients may be allowed to put weight on that foot soon after the surgery but most of the time patients will be instructed to not put weight on that foot for a few weeks. This is a time that no pressure should be put on the bones so they can heal well.
After the surgery, the doctor will instruct you to wear a foot brace or something to support your foot and prevent pressure to the surgery area. While having these supportive boots or braces, you may be instructed to use crutches as well. The time the braces and crouches are needed can vary from patient to patient and can go up to 12 weeks.
Physiotherapy may be needed to help your foot regain the function. The swelling may take several months to go down and the patient may need 6 months to a year to go to normal walking.
To conclude:
- the recovery period is highly dependant on the kind of surgery you are going to have
- it is of paramount importance to strictly follow the instructions of your doctor when it comes to when you can bear weight on that foot, how long you should wear braces and foot supports or use crutches.
- as a general rule, a few weeks may be needed before you are advised to bear weight on that foot. For a few months, you will need to have braces and special boots to support your foot and prevent damage or recurring of the bunion. It may take several months for the bones to completely heal and up to a year for the swelling to go away and for you to be able to walk normally.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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