Our Foot, Ankle, and Lower Leg Surgery FAQs

Will I need surgery for my bunionette?

The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and results in little if any scar tissue on the outside or swelling on the inside. You should be back on your feet very soon after this surgery.

 

What kind of treatment do I need for a bunionette?

At first, non-surgical treatments like changing to shoes that have a wider toe box will ease the discomfort. The bunionette can also be padded with over-the-counter bunion cushions, which will require a shoe with a wide-enough toe area. If your bunionette becomes inflamed, then you would need to put an icepack on it. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil or Aleve can also help. For short-term relief before an important event like a wedding or a race, Dr. K can inject a corticosteroid into the area to help bring down the inflammation and relieve pain.

How do I know for sure that I have a bunionette?

As an experienced foot doctor, Dr. K can examine your foot and take X-rays to see what's going on inside your foot. He will not only tell you what is causing your discomfort but, if it is a bunionette, he can tell you how far advanced the condition is and talk to you about your treatment options.

Do women get bunionettes more than men?

What causes bunionettes?

The most common cause of this deformity is a faulty mechanical structure of the foot, which runs in families and can be inherited by both men and women. However, wearing shoes that don't allow enough space for all of the toes to lie flat can make the structural problem worse. High-heel shoes or shoes with narrow pointy toe boxes can rub against the bunionette and cause redness, swelling, and pain.

What is a bunionette?

If the bunionette starts to rub against the inside of your shoe, it can become swollen, red, and painful. The more misaligned the bones are, the further out the bunionette will be and the more painful it will become. The only way to permanently correct the deformity is with surgery, but conservative measures can be used to manage the discomfort until it becomes unbearable.

How does a bunion develop?

Wearing the wrong kind of shoes, such as high heels with pointed toes and other footwear that is too tight, can also make a bunion worse. Shoes with narrow toe boxes squeeze the toes and gradually push the foot bones further out of alignment. You might be able to slow the development of a bunion by wearing shoes with wide toe boxes and using custom orthotics to cushion the ball of the foot. 

What is a bunion?

A bunion is much more complex than a simple bump, and the only treatment that can resolve the problem once and for all is surgery. Before surgery becomes necessary, however, a podiatrist can help you with conservative measures to ease pain and discomfort.

What are the best shoes for preventing a bunion?

If you are involved in activities that require you to wear constrictive shoes, such as ballet dancing or cycling, you are at a higher risk of developing and irritating bunions. If you are a competitive or recreational athlete, keep in mind that ill-fitting athletic shoes can also make your bunions worse. Seek comfortable, flexible footwear that fits properly to protect against bunions.

Do bunion shields work?

How soon after my surgery can I go back to work and participate in sports?

Once you are back on your feet, it really depends on how you feel as far as engaging in sports, but most patients are able to do normal daily activities, including participating in sports, within a month after surgery.

How can an orthotic help if I have a bunion?

Prescription orthotics are divided into functional orthotics and accommodative orthotics. Functional orthotics are used to control pain caused by abnormal motion and to treat injuries like shin splints or tendinitis. Functional orthotics are often made from a semi-rigid material. Accommodative orthotics are normally softer to provide your feet with additional cushion and support.

If your bunion is causing you pain when you put pressure on your foot, your podiatrist might recommend an accommodative custom orthotic.

Can bunions be corrected?

However, if a bunion gets progressively worse, then surgery is likely to be the only option. Traditional bunion surgery leaves scars on the outside of the foot and scar tissue inside the foot, which results in more pain and swelling. There may also be a loss of range of motion for the big toe, which requires physical therapy.

Fortunately, Dr. K's AMI-BUNION® bunion surgery uses a much smaller incision than traditional bunion surgery. This means no scarring on the outside of the foot and very little, if any, scar tissue inside the foot. Dr. K's patients normally experience far less swelling and pain than people who have traditional bunion surgery.

Are there different kinds of bunions?

What causes bunions?

However, a bunion will get worse faster if the wrong types of footwear are worn. Shoes with narrow, pointed, toe boxes that squeeze the toes into an unnatural position (i.e. high heels) can contribute to worsening bunions. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, 88 percent of women in the U.S. wear shoes that are too tight and 55 percent of women have bunions. Also, women get bunions nine times more often than men.

I have seen ads from a different doctor doing silicon implants and getting toe-lengthening results immediately. Is that a good treatment?

In the procedure, the surgeon puts a silicon implant in the joint to try to achieve a cosmetically acceptable result. However, there is no explanation of how the toe joint will function later. The implant could very likely dislodge and destroy the joint sooner or later. Don't risk the functionality of your toes for a quick fix that won't last.

I have more than one toe that needs to be lengthened on each foot. Can the same surgery be performed?

Will Dr. K do my toe-lengthening surgery himself?

How long after toe-lengthening surgery will I be able to wear high heels or participate in sports?

Are there going to be big scars after my toe-lengthening surgery?

What are possible complications following toe-lengthening surgery?

Is it possible to get an infection from the external fixation device?

When will the external fixation device be removed from my toe?

Do I always turn the external fixation the same amount during the lengthening phase?

When will I get instructions on adjusting the external fixation?

How long does Dr. K’s minimally invasive brachymetatarsia procedure take?

What method does Dr. K prefer to fix brachymetatarsia?

How does casting work to correct clubfoot in babies?

Usually, five to six casts are used in the Ponseti Method. However, very stiff feet may need eight or nine casts over two months. After the casting is over, the baby will need to wear a foot brace for three months, 23 hours a day, to hold the foot in the correct position.

When should clubfoot treatment begin?

Does the Ponseti Method hurt the baby?

Who created the Ponseti Method to fix clubfoot?

What causes babies to have clubfoot?

How often does clubfoot happen?

Will I need surgery for hammer toes?

What can I do if I have hammer toes?

Are there different types of hammer toes?

What causes hammer toes?

How do I know if I have a hammer toe?

What is a hammer toe?