Bunions, or even more specifically, hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus occurs in many shapes or forms. The disorder is one of an enlargement of the big toe or hallux joint of the foot (bunion) and an angling over of the big toe sideways toward the other toes (abduction and valgus). They become sore due to arthritis like symptoms from the deviation of the big toe as well as from stress on the enlargement of the bunion from the shoe. They are one of the more common causes of pain in the feet and are the result of a mixture of inherited features, poor biomechanics as well as footwear fitting problems. While there are non-surgical treatments including pads, splints, adequate footwear fitting, exercises and pain alleviation drugs that can be used, they don’t make the bunion disappear or straighten the bunion in the longer term. Generally surgery is the only permanent solution to bunions or hallux valgus. Even then, unless the particular reason for the condition was addressed at the same time there is a chance that it could occur again.

There are several joints and bones mixed up in development of bunions and each and every bunion is unique as varying amounts of each bone and joint are involved. Because of this the operative procedure must be directed at the bone or joint that is involved. If the great toe joint is just involved, then a basic removal of the enlarged bone is perhaps all that is required. If the angle of differing bones can be a problem, then a V is going to need to be taken out of the bone and the bone reset. There are several techniques used in doing that and it’s been believed that this problem has more operative choices for it when compared with all other problems!

The Austin bunionectomy is just one kind of surgery. This procedure consists of removing the lump of bone and taking a v out of the head of the first metatarsal to reposition it and hold it in position with a screw so that it can heal. A special shoe or boot will have to be used through the first few weeks following the procedure and return to your typical shoes after about 4 weeks. It generally requires around 8 weeks to get back to full activity levels following this surgery.