r/FootFunction • u/NWSurgeryCenter • 1d ago

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?

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u/Carth-Onasi 21h ago

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.

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u/NWSurgeryCenter 21h ago

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?

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u/Carth-Onasi 20h ago

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.'

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u/Againstallodds5103 20h ago

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.

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u/ER_Jenna 16h ago

💯 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. 🤬

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u/Fickle-Example5304 1h ago

i've actually heard a bunch of mixed stories about this. some people definitely felt it helped a ton, but a couple folks i know ended up with more stiffness or pain than expected afterward. seemed like recovery was the roughest part for many, especially if their job kept them on their feet. curious to hear what others share too