Thursday, November 21, 2013

Guide To Bunion Surgery San Francisco

By Marsha Klein


A bunion is easily identified on a foot. It has the appearance of a protrusion or bump on the side of a toe. The affected big toe tends to lean towards the small toes. If the condition is not severe, it can be treated using non-surgical methods. However, if these methods fail, it is time to think about getting bunion surgery San Francisco.

Bunions are bony bumps of bone and/or tissue that have formed on the side of the toe. They are usually the result of a misalignment of bone and even additional bone growth. They usually occur on a big toe, but they can also appear on a small toe. They can turn red and be quite painful. They will tend to get worse with time if not treated.

This condition is found more often in women than in men. Heredity and genetics are major contributors for suffering this condition. If your family has a history of bunions, you are likely to eventually have them too. However, they can also be caused by certain foot injuries. They are not caused by wearing the wrong shoes. However, wearing shoes that do not fit properly can make them get worse or show up faster.

Most people will try non-surgical solutions for treatment. For some, just wearing wider shoes alleviates the problem. Others have found success with covering the area with a rubber pad. Some use anti-inflammatory medicines. Some get a shot of cortisone that seems to help. If these non-surgical solutions do not work, surgery might be the next step.

The surgeon will first get your medical history. He will give a thorough exam to the foot. Then he will take x-rays to study the foot's anatomy. He then can decide if an operation is the best option.

This type of operation is referred to as a bunionectomy. It corrects the toe deformity and also should help to relieve pain. A regional anesthesia and sedative are usually administered. An incision is made along the side or top of the toe. Bone and/or tissue is then realigned properly. Severe cases may require reinforcement with screws, wires, or pins. It will all depend on your individual needs. The procedure usually takes around an hour and is done as an outpatient.

Recovery depends on the severity of the problem. It can be anywhere between six weeks to six months. The stitches will be removed in around seven to twenty-one days. Any outside pins or screws will usually be removed from three to six weeks after the procedure. The patient will wear either a walking cast or a special type of shoe for up to eight weeks. You must stay off of your feet for a period of time. Usually usual activities can resume in around six to eight weeks. In some severe cases, no weight can be placed on the foot for up to eight weeks. In this case, recovery will take longer.

It is possible that it may return after the procedure. However, this most often happens when the patient wears the wrong kinds of shoes. Your ability to walk and the toe's appearance should both improve. Make sure that you fully research your doctor to make certain he is qualified to do the procedure. If you decide to go ahead, consider getting bunion surgery San Francisco.




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