Frequently Asked Questions About Bunion Surgery

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about bunions and their treatment.

  • Are bunions hereditary?

    Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanic structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.

  • Do over-the-counter pads and splints really work?

    Pads placed over the area of the bunion may help minimize pain from a bunion. However, padding and splinting cannot reverse a bunion deformity.

  • Will my bunion get worse?

    Because bunions are progressive, they don't go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike. Some bunions progress more rapidly than others.

  • Is it better to have it fixed now, or should I wait?

    When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, you should discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.

  • How can I avoid surgery?

    Sometimes observation of the bunion is all that's needed. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if your bunion deformity is advancing, thereby reducing your chance of irreversible damage to the joint. In many other cases, however, some type of treatment is needed.

  • Will my insurance company pay for the surgery?

    In most cases, yes.

  • Is the surgery painful?

    The amount of pain experienced after bunion surgery is different from one person to the next. Most patients will experience discomfort for three to five days. If you closely follow your foot and ankle surgeon's instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.

  • What type of anaesthesia is involved?

    Most bunion surgeries involve local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation. That means your foot will be numb and you will be given medications to relax you during the procedure.

  • If I need surgery, how long will recovery take?

    The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed. 

  • Will I be able to walk normally after healing from bunion surgery?

    In most cases, yes.

  • How soon can I walk after surgery?

    It depends on your bunion and the surgical procedure selected for you.

  • How soon can I go back to work or drive after surgery?

    The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

  • Can the bunion come back?

    Yes, there is a risk for bunion recurrence in some cases. Patients can help prevent this by following their doctor's instructions to wear arch supports or orthotics in their shoes.

  • Will any screws or plates implanted in my foot set off metal detectors?

    Not usually. It can depend on the device chosen for your procedure, as well as how sensitive the metal detectors are.


    If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Informed patients make informed decisions.

Foot Facts

  • A human foot and ankle is a strong mechanical structure that contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • The 52 bones in your feet make up one quarter of all the bones in your body. When they are out of alignment, so is the rest of your body.
  • There are approximately 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet, and they excrete as much as half a pint of moisture each day.
  • The soles of your feet contain more sweat glands and sensory nerve endings per square centimetre than any other part of the body.
  • The American Podiatry Medical Association says buying shoes is best done during the afternoon. Your feet tend to swell a little during the day, and it’s best to buy shoes that fit then.
  • Women are four times more likely to have foot problems than men are, mostly due to footwear.
  • A two and a half-inch high heel can increase the load on the forefoot by 75%.
  • Many people have one foot larger than the other, so it’s best to fit the larger one while standing.
  • The American Podiatric Medical Association states the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which add up to 115,000 miles in a lifetime – more than four times the circumference of the globe.
  • During an average day of walking, the total forces on your feet can total hundreds of tonnes, equivalent to an average of a fully-loaded cement truck.
  • Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It contributes to your general health by improving circulation and weight control.
  • Standing in one spot is far more tiring for your feet than walking because the demands are being made on the same few muscles for a longer length of time.
  • Foot ailments can become your first sign of more serious medical problems. Your feet mirror your general health, so conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in your feet.
  • About 60% of all foot and ankle injuries in those aged 17 or older are ankle strains or sprains.
  • About 60 to 70% of diabetics will develop some form of diabetic nerve damage, which in severe forms can lead to diabetic lower limb amputation. Approximately 56,000 people a year lose their foot or leg due to diabetes.
  • Heel pain and ingrown toenails are the most common foot problems researched.
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a very common reason for feeling pain and burning in the feet.