Wednesday, January 29, 2014

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.

Bunions arise when individuals wear shoes that are too tight for them for a very long time. Shoes that are excessively narrow and pointed are one of the commonest predisposing factors because they force the feet to assume inappropriate positions. Bunions may also be inherited from one person to another. Heredity accounts for a small number of the cases.

If allowed to progress, these lesions become very painful and cause significant deformity. This is often the cause for those that are caused by arthritis. One of the non-surgical measures that can be undertaken is to change shoes to those that are properly fitting. The shoes that are chosen should conform to the shape of feet to avoid exerting excess pressure on prominent bony areas.

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.

A patient has to be examined by an orthopaedic surgeon prior to the surgery. A medical history helps the surgeon to gather information about medical conditions that may affect the outcome of the procedure. A physical examination helps in the assessment of extent of damage to the soft tissues and misalignment of joints. The exam also helps check for the presence of corns and hammertoes. X-rays provide detailed information about the extent of the deformity and damage in the toe joint.

Being a minor procedure, it is frequently done in the outpatient department. The patient is required to arrive at the facility early enough so that proper assessment can be done by the anesthetist and the attending surgeon. Alternatively one might be required to be admitted on the day preceding the surgery. Regional anesthesia is typically used but general anesthesia may be used in some cases. The total time taken from start to finish is about 1 hour.

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.

Although rare, there are a number of complications associated with bunion surgery San Francisco residents need to know even as they consider undergoing the same. Commonly, patients may suffer connective tissue contractures, swelling, nerve and blood vessel damage, infections and persistent pain. Many of these complications heal spontaneously but a few may require specialized treatment.




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