Hear from CHI Health Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Nick Wischmeier, MD, about bunion surgery and when to seek treatment for your bunion.
A common misconception about bunions is that they're a growth on the foot. Actually, a bunion is a failure of the anatomy around the big toe that allows the toe and the forefoot to drift out and become wider and become deformed.
If your bunion is causing you enough pain that you can't wear most pairs of shoes or perform recreational activities, then it may be time to seek treatment and consider even surgical options.
Bunion surgery is a complex surgery but there are new, exciting options, including minimally invasive options that may allow for quicker and less painful recovery. I always tell my patients, however, that bunion surgery is not just a removal of bone but rather a complex surgery that will require at least 6-12 weeks of recovery and protective boot wear or alternate shoe wear.
