| A bunion is a bony lump on the side of the foot at | | | | Very occasionally it can get infected and cause an |
| the base of the big toe. This may be an isolated | | | | ulcer. Aching in the foot is common but this is due to |
| problem, but it is often associated with other | | | | other related problems with how the foot works |
| problems with the shape of the foot. | | | | rather than the bunion itself. |
| The most common cause of bunions is footwear | | | | A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. |
| that does not have enough width to fit the toes in | | | | Your anaesthetist will discuss the options with you |
| their natural position. High heels are particularly to | | | | and will recommend the best form of anaesthesia for |
| blame as they squash the toes into the narrowest | | | | you. |
| part of the front of the shoe. | | | | There is a wide range of different operations for |
| Bunions are more common in women than men, and | | | | bunions, depending on the size of the bunion, the |
| a tendency to get them can run in families. They are | | | | amount of deformity of the big toe, other associated |
| occasionally associated with arthritis of the joint at | | | | problems with how the foot works, and any arthritis. |
| the base of the big toe but many people with | | | | The operation will involve removing the bunion. |
| bunions have no underlying joint problems. | | | | It may involve other procedures to cut and realign |
| There are very few occasions where bunion surgery | | | | the bones of the big toe and to tighten stretched |
| is the only option. The main alternative to surgery is | | | | ligaments around the big-toe joint. You may also |
| to adapt your shoes so that they fit comfortably. | | | | need to have an operation to straighten one or more |
| The options depend on how severe the bunion is. | | | | of the other toes at the same time. |
| Using extra-wide-fitting shoes from a good- quality | | | | Your surgeon will discuss with you how much surgery |
| shoe shop may be enough. If not, the surgical | | | | you will need. At the end of the operation, your |
| appliances department at the hospital will be able to | | | | surgeon will close the skin with stitches. |
| give you advice about stretching shoes or ordering a | | | | Bunions are very common. For those people who are |
| custom-made pair to fit the shape of your feet | | | | not able to cope with adapting their footwear, |
| comfortably. | | | | surgery gives a good chance of making their feet fit |
| These shoes are not usually particularly fashionable, | | | | comfortably into normal shoes and improving the |
| but they avoid all the risks of an operation and are | | | | cosmetic appearance. |
| almost always an effective treatment. | | | | Surgery is usually safe and effective. However, |
| Bunions do not get better without surgery. Most | | | | complications can happen. You need to know about |
| bunions will get worse with time. Wearing sensible | | | | them to help you make an informed decision about |
| footwear will usually prevent them from getting | | | | surgery. Knowing about them will also help to detect |
| rapidly worse. The skin over the bunion can become | | | | and treat any problems early. |
| inflamed where it rubs on the inside of the shoe. | | | | |