I have a bunion that is at a 17 degree angle. What surgical options are there at that level?

Raye - you need to consult a Podiatrist or Orthopedic surgeon to see what your options are. They are the only ones who can tell you about surgical options. There isn't anything you can do to decrease or improve the bunion on your own. You can get toe separators to put between your big and 2nd toe to help ease the stress on the tendons.

It seems everyone's foot is different and the surgical procedures are all indivualized according to the corrections needed. My podiatrist informed me that a metatarsal angle (MT) greater than 15 degrees needs a more involved surgery called the Lapidus procedure, which involves stabilizing the midfoot. I had this done on my right foot.

Would you be willing to share your experience? Was the post surgery non weight bearing with a cast?

Thanks, I'm checking physician referrals from people who have had foot surgery. I appreciate your input.

Raye

Raye,
Feel free to ask questions. Yes, the Lapidus procedure recovery is 6 to 8 weeks non-weight bearing in a cast. They change the cast every week, and the last three weeks its the same cast. I had the cast for 6 weeks, some people had the cast for 8 weeks. They take an x-ray after 6 weeks, and if the bones are fused mid-foot, then the cast comes off and you can start to walk again on it. It's a long process, but I had a very bad bunion and hypermobile first ray.

Raye-
I had a similar procedure to monsterbunion because i had a sever bunion on my right foot (around 18 degrees i think). I had a lapidus bunionectomy/osteotomy and 2 hammertoe corrections. I was on crutches for 6 weeks. First 2 weeks I had a plaster type cast and last 4 i had an air cast. After x rays at the 6 week mark my Pod said I was okay to bear weight. I walked with the same air cast for 2 weeks and then wore a surgical boot for about 2 more weeks. I had surgery in April and I'm still in physical therapy but otherwise pretty much back to normal. Still have some issues with dancing and running but very minimal. The doctor will tell you the recovery time is about 6 weeks but I'm sure you can tell from the boards that it takes a few months if not a year to get fully back to normal. I still have a little bit of swelling in my foot and thus can't wear heels for another month or too.

Like monsterbunion said, feel free to ask as many questions as you need to! I wish I had found this forum prior to my surgery but having found it afterwards it's been a tremendous resource for help answering my questions and knowing i'm not the only one going through this.

Amy

Raye,
I also had a lapidus bunionectomy because of a severe bunion, not exactly sure on the degree of the angle. Had a lot of flexibility in the joints which probably promoted the bunion. My Dr. decided on an external fixation device held on the foot by screws. He also fused a joint to secure this flexibilty held by a pin. This procedure was used so I could bear weight alot sooner. The foot was wrapped in gauze and I had a cam walker which he allowed me to take off at night and when I had my foot elevated with ice. I did use crutches to assist with walking for about 3-4 weeks becuause I had more nerve pain. I may have been able to ween off crutches earlier, I just got in the habit of using them. When I finally stopped using them, I went 4 weeks with the camwalker(high boot with velcro straps) when I went out and wore just a surgical shoe around the house to keep my leg in shape. The leg muscles go down to nothing. After 8 weeks, I just had the fixator removed this week, (had to go back into surgery and IV, didn't feel anything.) My foot is still wrapped tightly and suppose to wear only the high boot for now. I am going for an x ray today because I have the post op appt. on Monday.
There are pros and cons with this procedure, being able to bear weight earlier is definitely a pro, but dealing with this nerve pain and having to have the fixator removed as opposed to permanent screws is the down side. I will know more after my appt on Monday.
Marcy

what's a fixtator?

I have a podiatrist now, but I'm not sure how successful her surgeries are. When I asked how happy her patients were after surgery, she said the only people not happy were patients in their 70's/80'. Due to their age, they couldn't go with the recommended surgery, so rate of successful correction was limited.

Monster Bunion, are you happy with your results? Do you know of any orthopedic surgeon who can do bunion surgery in their sleep and have great feedback from their patients?

Lots of doctors recommended for orthotics, but I need a bunion surgery recommendation. I 've used orthotics for the past 10 years and lately my feet have been hurting esp. if I walk too much.

I would do the surgery, if I knew my foot would really be corrected. 8 weeks is a lot to take from work, and I want it to be worth it.

Also, I like working out at the gym and I hear your feet are still sore after 3+ months. :confused:

Please bring your attention to the posting policy.

Please do not post websites except as described in the posting policy section titled "How to share information".

Bunion in SF,
My podiatrist was a Kaiser doctor in San Bruno, CA (Dr. Bartels) and I'm in my 9th week post op, recovering slowly and walking in a cam boot now. I can't tell you if it is a total success yet as I am still recovering, but she seems to be a good doctor so far.

Thanks Monster Bunion!

I apologize. I had a reply here, but it included some of my own questions that I would like answers to on this topic. I have re-read the rules of this board and decided to start a new thread, so I do not distract from the replies to this individual's questions.
Sorry for the inconvenience.