Do All Bunions Eventually Require Surgical Correction?

So, you have this bump on your big toe. It’s been there for a while, and it hurts sometimes. Someone tells you it’s a bunion, and you’ve heard that all bunions require surgery eventually.

At Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Austin and Bee Cave, Texas, we hear this misconception a lot. So, let’s clear it up for you right now: No, bunions don’t all require surgical correction.

It’s true that some bunions do eventually need surgery, but we almost always start with more conservative treatment options before heading down that road.

What’s a bunion?

A bunion is a bony protrusion that forms at the base of your big toe when the big toe turns toward the second toe. That causes the joint at the base of the toe to stick outward. Over time, the problem gets worse; the toe moves farther in, and the bump gets bigger. 

Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness. As it becomes more painful, a bunion changes your walking pattern (gait), putting more stress on other body parts to compensate for the changing gait.

About a third of Americans have bunions, so it’s a common problem.

When you shouldn’t have bunion surgery

Unless your bunion is severe, surgery isn’t a first-line treatment. More conservative options often correct the problem with minimal invasiveness.

Options include:

• Shoes that give your toes room to spread out (relieving the pressure of crowding)
• Custom orthotic devices that can redistribute pressure across your foot
• Physical therapy to strengthen your foot and improve your flexibility
• Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers to ease pain and discomfort

When you should consider bunion surgery

A bunionectomy is surgery to relieve the issues caused by the bunion. It involves correcting the alignment of your bones and repairing the soft tissues around the joint. Your surgeon may also need to realign tendons and ligaments. 

Consider surgery if the conservative treatments mentioned above haven’t been effective and you continue to experience pain. Ongoing pain that affects your quality of life is an obvious sign to address the problem, and surgery may be the best option.

Surgery can keep your bunion from getting bigger while restoring your big toe to the correct position. That should relieve the pain and allow your gait to return to normal.

If you suspect you have a bunion and would like professional treatment, orthopedic specialist Pedro Cosculluela, MD, and our caring team at Austin Foot & Ankle Institute can help. Call the Austin-area office near you or request an appointment online today.