Thailand Orthopedic Foot Surgery.

Considering bunion surgery can be very confusing. There is a tremendous amount of information available and much of it is contradictory. You may get information from your doctor, friends, internet and/or family members. This section is designed to cut through the clutter, help you identify the false information, and assist you in making an informed decision.

In most cases, we can treat the pain caused by bunions conservatively. In fact, we feel strongly that surgery should be a last resort. We surprise many bunion patients with our ability to help them avoid surgery when they have been told previously they have no choice but surgery. If you have tried all conservative treatment, however, and bunion pain is causing pain or limiting your activity, surgery can be a very effective option.

Most bunions can be treated without surgery. But when nonsurgical treatments are not enough, surgery can relieve your pain, correct any related foot deformity, and help you resume your normal activities. An orthopaedic surgeon can help you decide if surgery is the best option for you. Whether you've just begun exploring treatment for bunions or have already decided with your orthopaedic surgeon to have surgery, this page will assist with providing you insight.

An important factor in deciding whether to have bunion surgery is understanding what the procedure can and can not do. The vast majority of patients who undergo bunion surgery experience a dramatic reduction of foot pain after surgery, along with a significant improvement in the alignment of their big toe.

Bunion surgery will not allow you to wear a smaller shoe size or narrow-pointed shoes. In fact, you will have some shoe restrictions for the rest of your life. Always follow the recommendations for shoe fit presented in this booklet.

Remember that the main cause of the bunion deformity is a tight fitting shoe. If you return to that type of shoe wear, your bunion will reappear.

Almost all bunion surgery is done on an outpatient basis. You will most likely be asked to arrive at the hospital or surgical center one or two hours prior to surgery.

After admission, you will be evaluated by a member of the anesthesia team. Most bunion surgery is performed under ankle block anesthesia, in which your foot is numb, but you are awake. General or spinal anesthesia is used occasionally. The anesthesiologist will stay with you throughout the procedure to administer other medications, if necessary, and to make sure you are comfortable.

The surgery takes about one hour. Afterwards, you will be moved to the recovery room. You will be ready to go home in one or two hours. Read more...