Baton Rouge Bunion Surgery: Which Type is Right for You?

For patients with bunions, the condition can be both painful and embarrassing, but the condition is quite common, affecting over 3 million Americans each year. In some cases, home remedies such as ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and shoe adjustments are enough to provide adequate relief. However, for many others, surgical correction may be required. In these instances, here is everything that a patient should know about bunion surgery:

Selecting a local Baton Rouge foot surgeon to perform your bunionectomy should be based primarily on two factors:

• Board Certification - The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) is the most recognized and respected board in the field of podiatric medicine. The Board sets strict and rigorous standards that must be met in order for a podiatric surgeon to achieve a board certification. Only a select number of foot surgeons complete this rigorous process and attain certification.
• Physician and Patient Referrals - A recommendation from someone that you trust (doctor or previous patient) is invaluable in making you more comfortable with selecting a bunion surgeon.

Bunion surgery should be reserved for patients with painful bunions, who have failed all non-surgical treatments. Patients who are having trouble finding any comfortable shoes, experiencing swelling and redness around the big toe joint, and having difficulty with regular and recreational activities are good candidates for bunion surgery. Realigning the big toe joint and correcting the bunion deformity helps to alleviate pain and makes certain activities less painful or even pain-free.

This is the most common bunionectomy performed. It is indicated for most mild-to-moderate sized bunions based on weight-bearing x-ray measurements. The advantages are that it is reliable, time-tested and allows immediate weight-bearing. This means most patients having this procedure do not require crutches or a wheelchair during the recovery.

The major disadvantage with this procedure is that it cannot be used for all painful bunions. Painful bunions with arthritis, weakened bone density (osteoporosis), and severe sized bunions based on x-ray examination are not good candidates for Austin bunionectomy . Fortunately, there are many additional, quality procedural options for patients with painful bunions.

This procedure has undergone a rapid increase in popularity in the last 10 years. Improved surgical techniques and new plates and screws (called anatomic or site-specific implants) have dramatically reduced the complications associated with the Lapidus bunionectomy . Today, this procedure is widely used and one of the most versatile procedures for experienced foot surgeons . The primary role of this procedure is for severe sized bunions.

The primary limitation with the Lapidus bunionectomy is that it is technically more difficult than the Austin bunionectomy. Also, the Lapidus requires a period of non-weight-bearing, or no pressure on the foot, for optimal healing.

The Keller bunionectomy is one of the oldest ways to correct painful bunions on record. It involves shaving bone at two specific areas around the big toe joint. This procedure has short healing times and does not always require pins for stabilization. The Keller bunionectomy allows immediate weight-bearing. This procedure is ideal for older patients with low physical demands and in instances of weakened bone density.

The Keller bunionectomy is a good procedure when used appropriately, but it has a narrow range of indications. An experienced bunion surgeon can help decide if the procedure is right for you.

This means permanent stiffening of the big toe joint. It might seem impossible to walk normally with a stiff big toe joint, but many patients benefit from this procedure. This procedure can be used for severe sized bunions in patients that cannot perform the necessary non-weight-bearing for a Lapidus. Also this is a versatile procedure for the rare patient who has failed multiple previous bunionectomies.

While this procedure does provide predictable, long-lasting results, it should be reserved for specific circumstances in the treatment of painful bunions.

If you are experiencing the discomfort and inconveniences associated with bunions, it may be time to see a Baton Rouge foot doctor for bunions . I regularly see the condition in my patients and have used each of the aforementioned treatment options to deliverable desirable results. Simply click the button below to schedule a consultation.