Bunion surgeryis a common operation to get rid of abunion, however, it’s not without its risks.While a large majority of patients are pleased with their decision to have bunion surgery, some patients encounter post-operative problems that can interfere with the overall outcome.While it’s important to haveproperly executed bunion surgery, there are complications that can occur that can be lessened if you are actively involved in your recovery.
1Return of BunionPeter Dazeley / Getty ImagesOne of the most common concerns patients have with bunion surgery is if the bunion will come back. While bunion recurrence is a possibility, it is something that tends to happen over a long period of time.Whether the bunion reforms often depends on the method used to correct the bunion as some techniques lend themselves to recurrence down the road. Simply “shaving bunions” doesn’t address the underlying cause of the bunion and recurrence is common with this approach. Bunion surgeries that correct the boney malalignment that caused the bunion are better suited to have long-term success.How to Prevent Bunion RecurrenceThe best way to avoid a recurrence is to have a bunion surgery that fully addresses how severe your bunion is. All bunions are not the same and therefore all bunion surgeries are not the same either. Techniques for small bunion surgery are different than techniques for surgery for large bunions, and having the best method to address the severity of your bunion is the best way to lessen the chance of bunion return.
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Return of BunionPeter Dazeley / Getty ImagesOne of the most common concerns patients have with bunion surgery is if the bunion will come back. While bunion recurrence is a possibility, it is something that tends to happen over a long period of time.Whether the bunion reforms often depends on the method used to correct the bunion as some techniques lend themselves to recurrence down the road. Simply “shaving bunions” doesn’t address the underlying cause of the bunion and recurrence is common with this approach. Bunion surgeries that correct the boney malalignment that caused the bunion are better suited to have long-term success.How to Prevent Bunion RecurrenceThe best way to avoid a recurrence is to have a bunion surgery that fully addresses how severe your bunion is. All bunions are not the same and therefore all bunion surgeries are not the same either. Techniques for small bunion surgery are different than techniques for surgery for large bunions, and having the best method to address the severity of your bunion is the best way to lessen the chance of bunion return.
Return of Bunion
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
One of the most common concerns patients have with bunion surgery is if the bunion will come back. While bunion recurrence is a possibility, it is something that tends to happen over a long period of time.Whether the bunion reforms often depends on the method used to correct the bunion as some techniques lend themselves to recurrence down the road. Simply “shaving bunions” doesn’t address the underlying cause of the bunion and recurrence is common with this approach. Bunion surgeries that correct the boney malalignment that caused the bunion are better suited to have long-term success.
How to Prevent Bunion Recurrence
The best way to avoid a recurrence is to have a bunion surgery that fully addresses how severe your bunion is. All bunions are not the same and therefore all bunion surgeries are not the same either. Techniques for small bunion surgery are different than techniques for surgery for large bunions, and having the best method to address the severity of your bunion is the best way to lessen the chance of bunion return.
2Big Toe Joint StiffnessAnytime surgery is performed on a joint, there is a risk for stiffness and restriction of motions afterward.Scar tissue buildup inside the big toe joint is often the culprit. Sometimes the final boney position of the bunion correction may also contribute to limited big toe joint motion. Bunions that have been present for many years may have some limited range of motion in the big toe joint after surgery because that joint was out-of-place for so long with the bunion, and even the realignment may not be able to restore the full motion.Big toe arthritismay be the cause of the stiffness.How to Prevent Big Toe Joint StiffnessMoving the big toe joint after surgery can keep the joint supple and limit scar tissue formation. A dedicatedphysical therapy programcan be advantageous as well.Bunion surgeons have different opinions on when to start moving the big toe joint and may be dependent on the type of bunionectomy you will have, so it’s important to follow your surgeon’s advice.
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Big Toe Joint StiffnessAnytime surgery is performed on a joint, there is a risk for stiffness and restriction of motions afterward.Scar tissue buildup inside the big toe joint is often the culprit. Sometimes the final boney position of the bunion correction may also contribute to limited big toe joint motion. Bunions that have been present for many years may have some limited range of motion in the big toe joint after surgery because that joint was out-of-place for so long with the bunion, and even the realignment may not be able to restore the full motion.Big toe arthritismay be the cause of the stiffness.How to Prevent Big Toe Joint StiffnessMoving the big toe joint after surgery can keep the joint supple and limit scar tissue formation. A dedicatedphysical therapy programcan be advantageous as well.Bunion surgeons have different opinions on when to start moving the big toe joint and may be dependent on the type of bunionectomy you will have, so it’s important to follow your surgeon’s advice.
Big Toe Joint Stiffness
Anytime surgery is performed on a joint, there is a risk for stiffness and restriction of motions afterward.Scar tissue buildup inside the big toe joint is often the culprit. Sometimes the final boney position of the bunion correction may also contribute to limited big toe joint motion. Bunions that have been present for many years may have some limited range of motion in the big toe joint after surgery because that joint was out-of-place for so long with the bunion, and even the realignment may not be able to restore the full motion.Big toe arthritismay be the cause of the stiffness.
How to Prevent Big Toe Joint Stiffness
Moving the big toe joint after surgery can keep the joint supple and limit scar tissue formation. A dedicatedphysical therapy programcan be advantageous as well.
Bunion surgeons have different opinions on when to start moving the big toe joint and may be dependent on the type of bunionectomy you will have, so it’s important to follow your surgeon’s advice.
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Infection After Bunion Surgery
Infection is a known risk with any surgery and an uncommon complication after bunion surgery.The concern withinfection after bunion surgeryis that the bacteria can infect the surgical hardware that is used to stabilize the bone.Whenbunion surgery infectionsdo occur, they tend to be superficial skin infections that usually respond to oral antibiotics. More advanced infections may require intravenous antibiotics.Rarely surgeons may need to surgically wash out the area.
How to Prevent Bunion Surgery Infections
Signs of Infection After Surgery
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Hallux Varus
Hallux varus is a new structural problem that uncommonly occurs after bunion surgery. With hallux varus, the big toe deviates in the opposite direction and the big toe points in (away from the other toes).The cause of hallux varus is often from a bunion overcorrection leading to muscular imbalance at the big toe joint. A hallux varus may occur rapidly after surgery but usually develops over time. If left untreated a hallux varus could result in severe contractures of the big toe joints, arthritis, deformed-looking foot and/or pain.
How to Prevent Hallux Varus
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Bone Healing Problems
Since bunion surgery involves cutting or fusing bones to achieve an improved alignment, bone healing must occur and some people may have poor bone healing. Bones typically take six weeks to three months to heal.The failure of healing after several months is medically called a nonunion.A symptomatic nonunion may demonstrate swelling, pain and/or redness. Bone healing problems may be related to the actual surgical techniques in a person’s overall medical health.
How to Prevent Bunion Surgery Nonunion
Nonunion of Bones
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Pearson RG, Clement RGE, Edwards KL, Scammell BE.Do smokers have greater risk of delayed and non-union after fracture, osteotomy and arthrodesis? A systematic review with meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2016;6(11):e010303. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010303
George MD, Baker JF, Leonard CE, Mehta S, Miano TA, Hennessy S.Risk of nonunion with nonselective nsaids, cox-2 inhibitors, and opioids.Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2020;102(14):1230-1238. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.19.01415
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