Hallux valgus

Hallux valgus (bunion) | How does a bunion occur? (explain my condition to me?) | Where, why and when might I expect to get bunion pain? | Why do bunions occur? | What treatments are available for bunions? | If I have a bunion is the best treatment surgery? | Bunion surgery | Additional procedures may be necessary | Can the big toe joint(mtp) always be left mobile? | If I leave my bunion for now and it gets much worse will you still be able to do something? | My bunion is not so painful now but I don't want to end with feet like my grandma's | I've heard bunion surgery is a really painful operation. | Bunion operations - the scarf osteotomy | Operative stills- the scarf osteotomy | The scarf osteotomy-animation | The Basal osteotomy-using Arthrex Basal plate | Operative stills-the Arthrex Basal plate | Pre and post operative images of bunion surgery | After the bunion operation | Complications of bunion surgery

If I leave things for now and they get much worse will you still be able to do something?
Yes. The progression of the deformity is unpredictable and the best advice is to leave it until it becomes a problem.

It's not so painful now but I don't want to end up like my Granny
The progression of the deformity and symptoms in hallux valgus is unpredictable.

I've heard this is a really painful operation.
Traditionally this has been the case.
At the Foot and Ankle Clinic in Birmingham we take every measure to ensure pain is as well controlled and is as limited as is possible.

This is achieved by:

Anti inflammatory tablet pre-medication
Local anaesthetic block before surgery starts
Corrective osteotomies which are fixed with screws and therefore stable. As well as helping bone pain this allows early walking and no plaster cast
The avoidance of restrictive plaster reduces pain due to post operative swelling
A regular prescription of a combination of three post operative pain killers

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