Bunions, or more accurately, hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus occurs in numerous shapes or forms. The condition is one of an enlargement of the great toe or hallux joint of the foot (bunion) and an pointing over of the great toe sideways toward the smaller toes (abduction and valgus). They become painful due to arthritis like symptoms from the deviation of the big toe or hallux and also from strain on the lump of the bunion from the footwear. They’re one of the most frequent reasons for pain in the feet and are caused by a mixture of inherited attributes, weak biomechanics and also shoe fitting problems. Whilst there are non-surgical options like pads, splints, adequate shoe fitting, exercises and pain alleviation medication that can be used, they cannot make the bunion go away nor align the bunion in the longer term. Usually surgery is the only long term means to fix bunions or hallux valgus. Nonetheless, unless the actual cause of the bunion has been dealt with at the same time there exists a risk that it may occur again.

There are numerous joints and bones mixed up in development of bunions and each case is different as differing degrees of each bone and joint are involved. This means that the surgical correction has to be directed at the bone or joint that is involved. If the big toe joint is just involved, then a simple removal of the enlarged bone is perhaps all that is needed. If the angle of differing bones are a issue, then a wedge needs to be taken out of the bone and the bone reset. There are so many different approaches to undertaking that and it’s been believed that this condition has more surgical options for it in comparison to all other conditions!

The Austin bunionectomy is just one kind of surgery. This procedure involves taking off the lump of bone and taking a v out of the head of the 1st metatarsal to realign it and maintain it in position with a screw so it can heal. A special shoe or boot will have to be worn throughout the first few weeks following the procedure and return to your normal shoes after around 4 weeks. It usually requires around 8 weeks to return to full activity levels after this procedure.