Bunion surgery can offer a great deal of relief to people with chronic bunions, enabling them to resume everyday activities like walking or exercising. However, knowing what to expect is critical to avoiding problems after bunion surgery and preventing bunions from recurring.

Dr. Jamshidinia and the staff of La Peer Health System’s Bunion Center of Excellence want to ensure that your bunion surgery recovery is a successful one, and will sit down with you to discuss your bunion surgery aftercare. If you have questions about an upcoming surgery, or if you want to learn more about treating bunions, don’t hesitate to call our Beverly Hills team at (888) 552-9732 or send us an email.

Avoiding Foot Problems After Surgery | big toe problems after bunion surgery | common problems after bunion surgery

foot problems after bunion surgery

Protect Foot Dressings and Care

After your surgery, the surgeon will most likely wrap your foot in bandages. He or she may also instruct you to wear a protective boot. To ensure proper healing, it’s important to keep any bandages dry, clean, and intact. It is critical to keep these bandages secure and prevent them from getting dirty or loose, and not to remove them to see your results.

Our doctors will show you your “after” result photo immediately after your surgery. You must also wear your boot for the period of time dictated by the doctor.

Most patients are able to bear weight immediately after surgery with the aid of the boot, though they may start by bearing weight only on the heel for first 2 weeks. However, some severe bunion cases may require the patient to use crutches to walk.

Recommended Use:

After undergoing bunion surgery, the surgeon may advise you to keep your foot elevated for a few days. Ice and anti-inflammatory medications can help to relieve swelling and mitigate any pain you experience. Most patients will have very little pain.

Physical Therapy

Our board-certified foot specialists may recommend strengthening exercises or physical therapy to help you recover from bunion surgery and retain full motion in your toe. Following the surgeon’s instructions will help you achieve a quick and complete bunion surgery recovery.

Future Foot Health and Wellness

Bunion surgery can help relieve foot pain and realign your toe. However, if patients don’t take steps to protect their feet after surgery, bunions may recur. Custom orthotic arch support use during activities of daily living and sports can help to prevent recurrence by stabilizing your heel and arch to prevent the pathologic forces that led to your original bunion.

It’s common for feet to swell in the wake of bunion surgery, and you should avoid wearing high heels or other restrictive footwear for several months. You may also want to consider wearing custom orthotics to protect your feet and toes.

Again our physician will cast your feet for Custom Orthotics 4-6 weeks after your surgery so that you have the protection going forward to prevent bunion recurrence later in life.

Recommended Use:

Ask your foot specialist for advice about staying free of bunions after surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will I spend recovering from bunion surgery?

Depending on the severity of the bunion, recovery may take between 4-8 weeks. However, the improvement in quality of life is great.

Q: When should I contact my doctor after surgery?

Be sure to contact your surgeon if any of the following unlikely side effects occur: fever, chills, increased pain, swelling of the calf above the foot in question.

Your surgeon will see you prior to surgery and schedule all post operative visits and will provide you with 24 HOUR access to his call center, so if any questions or problems arise your surgeon will be available to you. THERE ARE NO BAD QUESTIONS after surgery.

Q: Can I wear high heels after surgery?

To prevent bunions from reappearing, you should avoid wearing high or tight fitting shoes without protective orthotics. Also, these shoes can be worn only in moderation.

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Q: What happens if I get my sterile bandage wet after surgery?

Immediately contact your doctor if your bandage becomes wet or damaged or comes off or gets dirty.

Q: Will my shoe size decrease after surgery?

You should not expect your shoe size to decrease after surgery, though you will most likely notice an improvement in the shape of your foot as well as decreased width of your foot, given that the bunion will be removed.

Recommended Shoes:

Q: How To Wrap a Foot After Surgery?

Here are the steps to wrap a foot after surgery:

  1. Clean the foot and dry it off.
  2. Cover the surgical wound with a sterile dressing.
  3. Start at the ball of the foot, wrap the bandage around the foot and ankle.
  4. Wrap the bandage around the foot in a figure-eight pattern.
  5. Make sure the wrap is snug, but not too tight.
  6. Secure the end of the wrap with tape or clips.
  7. Elevate the foot to reduce swelling.
  8. Check the wrap periodically to ensure it’s not too tight and is still providing support.

Contact Us Today

Knowing what to expect after bunion surgery can help ensure a positive outcome. For more information about avoiding problems after bunion surgery, contact the Bunion Center of Excellence today at (888) 552-9732.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you know anyone who is preparing for bunion surgery or is currently in the recovery process, please share this article with them. Together, we can raise awareness and help people better understand how to manage and prevent complications after bunion surgery.

Don’t wait any longer, take action now and help us get the word out about “Avoiding Problems After Bunion Surgery.” Your share could make a real difference in someone’s recovery journey! So, share this article and help others achieve a speedy and successful recovery after bunion surgery.

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