surgery for bunions

[sorefeet]

Im 40 and have had bunions on both feet for years but they have got worse in the past year. Now the bony bit protruding out where my big toe joins my foot is so big it is getting very hard to find shoes that fit. It is also very sore, especially towards the end of the day.
I have heard you can get surgery to shave a bit of bone away. Sounds drastic but I am contemplating it.
Anyone got experience?

[tigermoth]

Sorefeet, I've had protruding big toe joints for years, too. Bunions run in our family (that's almost a pun isn't it ).

I'm over 40 and, since I started running last autumn, have found I get painful twinges in my toe joints. I'm sure I need better training shoes.

I am also wondering if the pain is going to get worse - my bunions don't sound as painful as yours (yet), but if this surgery works I'd like to know more, too.

[MandyD]

My mother had this done when I was a child, quite effective I think. Here's a link to the most common way of doing the operation - it's a bit more than shaving a bit of bone away...

www.footcaredirect.com/bunsurg.html

[Rhiannon]

Mmmn, I have this problem too, shoes are a nightmare. I buy them at Evans, JD Williams (catalogue) and have just found some massively wide wedge mules in Matalan of all places and they're only £12, think I'll go back for all the colours as they're really comfy. In the winter I often buy mens loafers and boots as they're much wider.

Don't know anything about surgery but I do know you have both legs in plaster afterwards as my aunt had it done about 15 years ago (although procedures may have changed). R

[AliH]

Sorefeet - I had this surgery done (privately I might add, no chance on the NHS) about 10 years ago, aged 26. My problem was being a fashion victim as a teenager and not admitting that trendy shoes my mum bought were actually too small.

Basically, what happened was that my big toe was broken, the protruding bone shaved away, and then the toe (and foot) reset in plaster. I recall having 69 days off work, but returning in plaster, so I was obviously in plaster longer than that.

Yes, at the time it was painful, but well worth it. I have a scar of about 1 1/2 inches over the toe joint, but no pain or trouble other than that.

I hope the info is useful, and I would say to anyone go for it. I know from experience how painful having foot problems can be.

[sorefeet]

AliH , thanks for this - fantstic, just the kind of info I was after. Saw my Gp today and he is referring me to a foot specialist asap. I am in BUPA so thats one good thing.
GP also said it had recently been shown to be not true the problem is caused by ill fitting footwear, it is more to do with your genetics . In my case I could well believe it - I have NEVER been able to wear trendy shoes because of my naturally wide ( even prebunion) feet.
Did I read correcty, 69 days off work?? -Over two months?
Did you have a general anaesthetic? Two feet done at once?
Thanks

[AliH]

Sorefeet - I'm glad the info was useful. Yes, 69 days off work was correct (luckily I got paid hee hee). I only had one foot done, and yes, it was a general anaesthetic (thank heavens).

Interesting about the genetic thing, my mum has really bad bunions, which have never been treated. Thanks, I feel better about being such a fashion victim now.

Any more questions, feel free to ask. Glad you have been referred, and good old Bupa.

[helenmc]

is there anything that can be done to prevent bunions - I think my 5 yr old is developing one (and neither me or dh have then)

[MalmoMum]

Helen, apart from getting your child checked out by someone, there are a couple of things you can do. Somethings are prob obvious to you already like making sure all shoes have a square toe and fit properly and that socks aren't pinching (nylon socks are partic unforgiving). Whenever possible your child should go barefoot to allow the toes to spread and giving a workout to the whole foot.

When sitting down, get them to pull the muscles in the feet so that they spread their toes as wide as possible. They can also put their feet together and try and push their big toes against each other. Bathtime is a good time to practice. You are trying to get them to work the muscle that runs down the side of their foot toward their big toe, the one that pulls the toe in the opposite direction to the way the bunion is pulling them. Keeping this muscle strong should help protect through life, adults can join in too.

[helenmc]

thanks Malmomum- I had look last night and looked up bunions, and she's hasn't got bunions its a bump round her big toe. so will take her to doctors.

[sorefeet]

AliH are you around?
I saw an orthopaedic surgeon and am booked to have both feet done underGA in September and I am scared!
The surgeon was quite gung ho about it so I could not admit my fears.
The procedure is called a Mitchell osteotomy and I have found some quite graphic descriptions online.
Got any advice?
How sore is it immediately post op?
Thanks for your help

[AliH]

Hi Sorefeet - good on you, and I don't blame you for being scared, it is surgery after all.

I can't comment on the title of the op that you quoted, probably too long ago for me to remember.

I seem to remember that there was a bit of pain after the op, but again, can't remember for how long. One good thing though is that I also can't remember it being awful for ages, so I guess that's a good sign! I had strong painkillers which helped enormously in the very early days post op. Also, once healed and the plaster was off, I have had NO pain since, which has got to be a big plus.

Good luck, and let me know how you get on. My only piece of advice is not to book any dancing lessons shortly afterwards, pretty difficult in the big blue shoe thing they gave me to cover the plaster!