Bunion Surgery
If you have a bunion that is causing pressure and pain, surgery should straighten your big toe and make your foot fit more comfortably into a normal shoe.
A bunion is a bony lump on the side of your foot at the base of your big toe.
A common cause of bunions is wearing tight shoes that squash your toes.
They are sometimes associated with arthritis of the joint at the base of your big toe but many people with bunions have no underlying joint problems.
Your big toe should be straighter, so your foot should fit more comfortably in a normal shoe.
Putting padding over the bunion or a spacer between your big toe and second toe can help give you relief from the pain caused by the bunion rubbing. Using wide-fitting shoes from a good-quality shoe shop may be enough. If not, the orthotics (surgical appliances) department at the hospital will be able to give you advice about special shoes.
Various anaesthetic techniques are possible.
The operation usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Your surgeon will discuss with you which of the following procedures the operation is likely to involve.
- Removing the bunion.
- Releasing the tight ligaments and tightening stretched ligaments.
- Cutting and realigning the bones of your big toe.
- Stiffening a joint.
- Straightening one or more of your toes.
Some complications can be serious and even cause death.
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.
Spend most of the time during the first week with your leg raised so that the swelling settles.
It can take 6 weeks or longer before the swelling has gone down enough for you to wear a normal soft shoe.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
The swelling often takes up to 6 months to go down completely.
Some complications can be serious and even cause death.
General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection of the surgical site (wound)
- Unsightly scarring of your skin
- Blood clot in your leg
- Blood clot in your lung
- Difficulty passing urine
Specific complications of this operation
- Damage to nerves
- Problems with bone healing
- Loss of movement in your big toe
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your foot
- Pain in the ball of your foot
- The deformity coming back
Consultants who provide this treatment
Any further questions?
We will not contact you for any other reason than to respond to the question or information you request in this form.
For information about how your personal data may be processed please see our Privacy Policy.
This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.
What to do next
- Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
- If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
- To book an appointment with a consultant you can either call us, email us, or book online if you are self-paying for your treatment.
- Currently, not all Consultants are available for Self-Pay Online Booking. Please contact us directly if you do not see the consultant/service you are looking for and would like to make a booking.
Cancellation Policy
Funding your treatment
Find out more about getting started with private health insurance.
Find out more about our self-pay options.
Find out about your right to choose your treatment centre.