Performing a Bunionectomy

Bunions can be a pain—especially the longer you have to deal with them. Sometimes, despite your best efforts to prevent the problem from worsening, the discomfort keeps increasing. Though it may seem scary, bunion surgery in Dallas, TX, might be your best option to eliminate your problem instead of just managing it.

Why Have Bunion Surgery?

A bunionectomy is a surgery to correct a bunion, which is the painful bulge at the base of your big toe created by displaced bones. Usually, your big toe learns towards its smaller neighbors while the metatarsal leans away from the others. Conservative measures cannot fix the problem because the actual position of the bones in your lower limbs is affected. These noninvasive treatments can be very successful for relieving discomfort and preventing progression, but they cannot realign the bones.

Surgical intervention allows Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin to reposition the big toe and correct the malposition of the affected bones. It also allows them to deal with any extra bony growth or enlargement in the joint. This could involve shaving down and/or repositioning the affected bones. There are many different ways to perform a bunionectomy. What works for you will depend on the shape and needs of your foot and the extent of your condition.

How Is It Done?

If you live in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area and are looking to have a bunion surgery, our expert staff will examine your lower limbs to help you determine your specific needs. That way, you can make informed decisions about your foot care. Specific surgery techniques can affect your recovery time and the success of your procedure. They can range from simple actions, like shaving down the excess bone on the bulge, to more complex methods, like shifting and cutting the bones in the joint.

Our doctors will use diagnostic images to plan the procedure.  A day surgery procedure is performed. Once asleep, local anesthesia is infiltrated. A single incision is typically made to access the necessary structures.  Soft tissue and bone are rearranged to correct the condition using the techniques discussed with you by the doctors.

Tendon and ligament repairs can help tighten the connective tissues to keep the big toe straight. Sometimes, portions of the affected bones will need to be cut to straighten the digit. More advanced bunions may need entire bone re-positioned. You also may need an arthrodesis, or joint fusion, if you have severe arthritis. This procedure removes the damaged tissue from joint surfaces and uses metal hardware, like screws and plates, to hold the bones together until they heal.

How your bunionectomy is performed largely depends on the degree of deformity and your needs and activity levels. The key is to address your discomfort early, as this can prevent for more complicated procedures. Don’t wait to seek help for your condition until you end up needing a complicated procedure. Ask about expert bunion surgery in Dallas, TX at Dallas Podiatry Works and book an appointment to see how we can help your lower limbs. Call 972.853.7100 for our Dallas location or (972) 943-3323 for our Plano office.