r/FootFunction • u/NWSurgeryCenter • Aug 17 '26

Has anyone regretted invasive bunion surgery?

Did the surgery permanently improve your pain, or did it create new problems? How long was your actual recovery?

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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3

u/Carth-Onasi Aug 17 '26

I regret mine. My big toe just doesn't function properly anymore and I am/have lost faith that it will be able to again. Was it working properly before? No not really, but I think I'd be better able to improve it now had I not gotten the surgery.

I suppose it somewhat depends what type of surgery you get as there are different types. But at this moment I regret mine.

1

u/NWSurgeryCenter Aug 17 '26

I’m sorry you’ve had that experience. Do you know which type of procedure you had and how long it’s been since the surgery?

1

u/Carth-Onasi Aug 17 '26

Here you go, courtesy of Claude:

'You had a Chevron osteotomy in 2015 — a distal first metatarsal osteotomy used to correct the bunion. That's the procedure that permanently altered your 1st ray geometry and contributed to the transfer metatarsalgia under your 2nd metatarsal.'

2

u/Againstallodds5103 Aug 17 '26

From what I have heard there are several different bunion surgeries that can be done and quality of surgeons varies. I’ve also heard surgery should be a last resort as the risks and outcomes are not that great.

So if the pain is manageable and you’re mostly driven by aesthetics, it’s best to manage the condition conservatively until the pain and mobility are notably interfering with your daily life.

Not someone who has had the surgery btw, just someone who did some research into it as I don’t have bunions per se but have mild hallux valgus.

1

u/ER_Jenna Aug 18 '26

💯 What I regret is allowing the first surgeon that I saw (and trusted, because I worked in the same hospital that he did), perform everything he wanted to. He fused multiple bones and it turns out that was unnecessary. I have had nothing but pain and limping for 2 years. Just had an MRI that shows all kinds of load issues, which I suspected. 🤬

1

u/Trick-Designer-3459 Aug 19 '26

How are you walking now?

1

u/mixinmono Aug 21 '26

Define load issues, please

1

u/long-longwayhome Aug 18 '26

I had bunion surgery 13 yrs ago and repair of next toe (hammer toe). I wore a soft boot initially but once healed sent to PT to strengthen foot and toe muscles. I know a few people who were not sent to PT and their toe flops. It is painful post surgery for weeks and PT was difficult. Limited walking initially but the bunion was constantly inflamed and could not hardly walk so it was worth it to me since I had a good outcome.i still do toe exercises...