ads

Some Important Facts On Bunion Surgery San Francisco Residents Need To Know

By Marissa Velazquez


Bunions are lesions found on the toes. They are common in persons that have a condition known as hallux valgus. Conservative treatments are preferred because they are non-invasive. Surgery should only be considered if the conservative treatments are ineffective. Treatment is mainly aimed at restoring function. There are some important issues on bunion surgery San Francisco patients should be aware of before they sign up for it.

This condition is particularly common in persons that have improperly fitting shoes. Pointed shoes tend to squeeze the fit into unnatural positions. Excessive pressure is exerted on protruding parts leading to recurrent inflammation and healing. Eventually, bunions are formed. There is also a role for hereditary factors in a few cases.

If allowed to progress, these lesions become very painful and cause significant deformity. This is often the cause for those that are caused by arthritis. One of the non-surgical measures that can be undertaken is to change shoes to those that are properly fitting. The shoes that are chosen should conform to the shape of feet to avoid exerting excess pressure on prominent bony areas.

Studies have found that a majority of patients who undergo the surgical procedure get the expected results. There are many types of surgical procedures that are used by specialized orthopaedic surgeons to manage the condition. These are designed to relieve pain, to realign the joints and to correct deformity. The type of surgical procedure to be done is dependent on a number of factors that include, among others, level of activity, extent of damage and general health status of the patient.

A patient has to be examined by an orthopaedic surgeon prior to the surgery. A medical history helps the surgeon to gather information about medical conditions that may affect the outcome of the procedure. A physical examination helps in the assessment of extent of damage to the soft tissues and misalignment of joints. The exam also helps check for the presence of corns and hammertoes. X-rays provide detailed information about the extent of the deformity and damage in the toe joint.

The surgical operation is minor and is typically done on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia is usually used except in very special circumstances, where general anesthesia is used. The patient has to be seen by an anesthetist to decide whether or not they are fit to undergo the procedure. The patient should report early to the facility for the assessment.

The recovery period varies depending on the bone affected and the amount of soft tissue involved. The usual time required for recovery is between 6 and 24 weeks. Complete recovery may take up to one year. When taking a bath or showering, one must ensure that the foot is covered properly so that the stitches are kept dry. Walking casts, wooden shoes and splints are sometimes used. It is important to avoid putting too much weight on the foot.

There are several complications associated bunion surgery San Francisco residents need to know. They include nerve damage, recurrence of the bunions, degenerative joint disease, persistent pain and swelling and infection in the bone or soft tissue. These complications are treatable. However, they affect the time taken to achieve full recovery. In most cases, the surgeon explains the various options that can be used to treat the complications.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment