Bunionectomy

About Bunionectomy

Bunionectomy is surgery to correct hallux valgus, a deformity in which the big toe drifts toward the second toe and a bony prominence forms at the base of the big toe. Surgery is usually considered when the bunion causes persistent pain or difficulty with footwear despite nonsurgical measures, not purely for appearance. More than a hundred different procedures have been described. Most modern operations involve an osteotomy, a controlled cut in the first metatarsal bone that allows it to be realigned and held with screws or plates, combined with release and tightening of the soft tissues around the joint and removal of the prominent bone. Common examples include the chevron and scarf osteotomies for milder deformities and the Lapidus procedure, which fuses a joint further back in the foot, for more severe or unstable cases. Minimally invasive techniques performed through very small incisions have become more popular. Fusion of the big toe joint is used when there is significant arthritis. The procedure is performed by orthopedic surgeons and podiatric surgeons.