Declaring War on Bunions – Part II

At Dallas Podiatry Works, we often observe what a painful and aggravating condition bunions can be. Fortunately, there is help! Early conservative intervention includes:

Padding to reduce pressure
Change of footwear
Customized orthotics
Modification of activities

If this does not resolve the pain, surgery may be necessary. There are several procedures that can be done, depending on the severity of the deformity and the desired outcome and Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin will discuss options with you.

Most bunion surgery is done at the big toe joint. The bony protrusion is removed and the toe is realigned. This surgery often allows you to walk that day, although you must remain at rest for about a week, with your foot elevated. If your job requires a lot of walking or standing, you may have to plan on a 4-6 weeks of recovery time. Otherwise you could return to work in about a week. Healing time depends on the patient and their circumstances as well as the combination of procedures performed. Your doctor will advise you when you can return to work. If the severity of your bunion is extreme, the surgery performed may be more complex. This requires a longer healing time because the foot may be more unstable. More often than not, this surgery would require the patient to be non-weight bearing with the use of crutches or a knee walker.

The success rate of bunion surgery is high and patients are usually quite satisfied. Providing the patient with enough information as what to expect before surgery is critical. Pain is usually minimal, and can easily be controlled with prescribed medication. In our practice we often use an OnQ Painbuster, a pain pump using local anesthetic, which can make this almost pain-free. Due to the nature of this surgery, it is often done as outpatient under a local or combined anesthetic. If you have bunions on both feet, your doctor may prefer to correct one foot at a time, waiting a number of weeks between surgeries.

Post-surgical complications could arise, but can usually be avoided by carefully following the doctor’s orders. Possible areas of concern are:

Infection
Over correction/under correction of the deformity
Bone not healing
Bone healing in wrong position

Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin are experts at bunion surgery. Call 972.853.7100 Dallas, or (972) 943-3323 Baylor/Plano or fill out our online contact form for help and further information. After an examination of your feet and test results, they can discuss with you the most viable treatment options. Remember, your feet don’t have to hurt!

If you have a success story with having a bunion surgery performed, we’d love to hear your story!

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.