Some Important Facts On Bunion Surgery San Francisco Residents Need To Know

By Marissa Velazquez


A bunion is a deformity of the foot that is attributable to a condition known as hallux valgus. Generally, most cases respond well to conservative therapies. In the event that these treatments are ineffective then surgical intervention is warranted. The main complaints of persons affected with the condition include pain, deformity and limitation in the normal function of the affected foot. When considering having bunion surgery San Francisco residents should do enough research on the procedure to determine whether or not they really need to have it.

The main causative factor for the condition is improper shoes. Poorly fitting shoes that are usually too narrow tend to force toes into unnatural positions. Research also indicates that a significant number of cases are hereditary. In terms of prevalence, women are more frequently affected than their male counterparts. This is mainly attributable to their shoe designs.

If intervention does not take place in timely fashion, the condition progresses rapidly over time and may even result in some irreversible defects. Management should be focused mainly on prevention rather than waiting for things to get out of hand first. Replacing ill-fitting shoes with the correct ones is the most obvious remedy. When buying shoes, ensure that they resemble the shape of your feet to reduce discomfort.

The good news is that most people respond with proper treatment. A great majority of those who undergo surgery recover almost completely. This particular area falls under the specialties of orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of the corrective procedures is to relieve pain, to realign the affected joints and to correct any other deformities. The choice of specific procedure to be performed is dependent on a number of factors that include level of activity, severity, age and general health status.

As if for any type of treatment, the first step if for the surgeon to take a comprehensive history on the condition and to do a physical. The history will help rule out the presence of any other diseases such as diabetes and arthritis all of which may manifest with similar symptoms. Radiological and laboratory examinations are then requested to locate the exact site of the problem.

Many hospitals and surgical centers consider this procedure to be an outpatient case. Patients are required to report a few hours before the appointed time. The first stage involves a complete evaluation by a member of the anesthesia team. It requires a local anesthesia although a general anesthesia may be used in selected cases. The procedure lasts for one hour and patients are allowed to go home after getting enough rest.

The time required for recovery varies from one person to another. This time is mainly dependent on the type of connective tissue that was affected. On average, most people report recovery within six months. There are a number of measures that can be put in place to ensure that healing takes place in the right way. When showering, cover the area to make sure that it does not come into contact with water. Wooden shoes, splints and walking shoes are recommended.

There are several complications associated bunion surgery San Francisco residents need to know. They include nerve damage, recurrence of the bunions, degenerative joint disease, persistent pain and swelling and infection in the bone or soft tissue. These complications are treatable. However, they affect the time taken to achieve full recovery. In most cases, the surgeon explains the various options that can be used to treat the complications.




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