What is Hallux Valgus (Bunions)?
A Bunion or Hallux Valgus describes the outward deviation of the Big toe and the prominent bump on the inside. A complex imbalance of muscles pulls and rotates the big toe, then creating the prominent ‘bunion’. Causes include genetic factors and shoe wear however in most cases there are no obvious factors.
Bunions worsen with advancing age and can eventually cause pain and deformity. The Big toe can move under or over the 2nd toe, causing lesser toe pain as well. The time to have treatment is when a Bunion or deformity is causing significant pain or difficulty in finding comfortable footwear.
Treatment options range from non-operative to operative.
Non-operative measures include modification of shoes, toe spacers or night splints.
Soft leather or material lace up shoes, with a rounded front can provide room for the bunion.
OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
The Principle and goal of bunion surgery is to align the mechanics of bones. This then removes the painful bump and prevents recurrence. Not one procedure can effectively cover all Bunion types, whilst some are more suited to dealing with a particular deformity. Mr Shepherd utilises different surgery techniques for an individual patient.
These include:
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery.
Open Scarf– Akin Bunion surgery.
Fusion including a Lapidus fusion.
To asses this a X-rays and a CT scan may be required to determine the mechanical alignment and rotation of the foot.
All of these procedures can be performed as day cases, and allow walking on the flat of the foot in a surgical shoe. In General recovery is 2 weeks of elevation, 6 weeks in a surgical shoe and up to 12 weeks before swelling completely resolves.