As you develop bunions, they can make it uncomfortable to walk. People with bunions also have trouble finding shoes to fit their feet, and they are at an increased risk for arthritis as they age. There are a lot of tactics you can use to manage your bunions, from wearing a splint to getting cortisone injections. However, there is also the option of having bunion surgery, a procedure that removes the excess bone and realigns your big toe joints to correct the bunion. Bunion surgery works really well for some patients and not as well for others. Here's a look at the pros and cons.
The Pros:
You won't have to bother with other remedies.
The other remedies used to manage bunions on a daily basis can take a lot of time. You have to stop and put your splint on in the morning, massage your foot when it gets sore, spend time looking for just the right shoes each time you shop, and so forth. If you have bunion surgery to correct your bunions, you won't have to deal with these hassles anymore.
Your foot will look normal again.
Sure, there are less-invasive ways to deal with the pain and discomfort of bunions. But none of these methods actually address how your feet look. It can be embarrassing to wear sandals or let others see you barefoot when, at the same time, wearing shoes is painful. Having your bunions surgically corrected will make your feet look mostly normal again, which should improve your self-confidence.
The Cons:
Surgery does have a long recovery time.
Since bunion surgery involves shaving down and realigning your bones, the recovery time is a bit long. You probably won't be able to walk for a week or two, and it will be about three months before you're able to resume any sort of physical activity more demanding than a stroll across the room. If you don't have the time to commit to recovery, bunion surgery might not be right for you — at least not right now.
Surgery can be costly.
Health insurance does not always cover bunion surgery. Your doctor may be able to appeal and get your surgery covered, but this process is not always successful. If you are a self-paying patient, then bunion surgery may not be worth the high cost.
If you are able to get insurance to cover the procedure, and if you're able to deal with the recovery, bunion surgery is often the best, most long-lasting solution for bunions. Contact a local foot and ankle clinic to learn more.
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