Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery - Facts
FAQs about the Day of Bunion Surgery
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How long does bunion surgery take? Duration of bunion
surgery is 1 hour.
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Is bunion surgery outpatient? Yes, bunion surgery is an
outpatient procedure (you will go home the same day)
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Does bunion surgery require general anesthesia? Anesthesia
is sedation or general + regional (the foot will be numb for 2-3 days,
making it difficult to walk. We will provide you with crutches to help you
mobilize these first 2-3 days).
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What type of anesthesia is used for bunion surgery?
Sedation or general anesthesia (you can discuss which one with the
anesthesiologist on the day of surgery) is required during bunion surgery as
this is a very precise surgery, requiring complete patient immobility.
Bunion Surgery Postoperative Period
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You will be able to walk on the surgical foot as soon as
the nerve block wears off (2-3 days).
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Postoperative pain is typically managed with the prescribed
pain medications.
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You will need to keep the foot bandaged for the first 2 weeks (cannot get it
wet).
- Sutures will fall off on their own in most cases.
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You will need to wear a special postoperative sandal that we will provide
for 6 weeks, after which you can wear sneakers or wide shoes that can
accommodate swelling.
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Bunion surgery on the right foot will prevent you from driving for 2-6
weeks.
- High heels are allowed 3 months after bunion surgery
- The foot will remain swollen for about 4 months.
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Return to low-impact activities (elliptical, stationary bike, upper body
exercises): as soon as you feel comfortable.
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Return to higher impact activities (running, yoga, etc): 12 weeks after
surgery
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Return to work: as soon as you feel comfortable. Most
patients with desk jobs return to work within a week or two. The remaining
patients return to work within 6 weeks
What are the Risks of Bunion Surgery?
- Bunion recurrence, as with most bunionectomy techniques, is 15%.
-
Risks of the procedure (including but not limited to): nerve irritation,
infection, bone fracture, bone malalignment, bone not healing, avascular
necrosis, joint stiffness, permanent numbness, chronic regional pain
syndrome, transfer metatarsalgia, hallux varus, blood clot (overall
occurrence of these is about 9%).
Please see a more detailed list of potential risks under
Possible Surgical Complications
Request Your Consultation Today!
To request your consultation with Dr. Ettore Vulcano, MD, the top bunion
surgery specialist in South Florida, please call
(305) 674-2090 or
contact us online today!
Our Location
Ettore Vulcano, MD (Mount Sinai Medical Center)
4302 Alton Road, Suite 220
Miami Beach, FL 33140
Phone:
(305) 674-2090
Bunion surgery specialist serving patients in Miami Beach, Miami, and the
surrounding South Florida communities.