Bunion surgery, sometimes referred to as a bunionectomy, is a common medical procedure to reduce the pain and deformity caused by these visible bony lumps. 

As bunions can vary greatly in shape, position and size, there are different types of corrective surgeries available that will help to realign the bones, tendons and ligaments. The type of surgery required will depend on the severity of the bunion.

Types of bunion surgery

There are many different techniques available to treat bunions, and your doctor may use more than one approach in the same procedure in order to get the best results. 

Removal (Exostectomy)

The enlarged proportion of the bone (bunion) is removed, usually as one part of corrective surgery

Realignment (Osteotomy)

The toe joint is repositioned sometimes using screws or pins, often performed in conjunction with soft tissue repair

Bone fusion (Arthrodesis)

Commonly used to treat arthritis, the bones are fused together to reduce the pain caused by friction of movement.

The common goal of any bunion surgery is to relieve pain by realigning the toe joint at the base of the big toe, and correct any deformity. Your doctor will talk to you about the most appropriate surgery for your specific condition.

During surgery

Firstly, your surgeon will make a small incision along the inside of your big toe joint, or along the top of the joint. In more severe cases more than one incision may be required to restore alignment. The bony lump is removed, and the big toe is cut with a special saw so that it can be repositioned using screws or pins if necessary to set the toes in place. Some patients may also require soft tissue repair in order to stabilise the foot structure. 

Where the bunion is caused by arthritis, your doctor may fuse the bones together after the inflamed joint has been removed in order to reduce any painful symptoms and swelling caused by movement. In treating Tailor’s bunion on the joint at the base of the little toe, a small incision is made above the bunion, the lump is removed, and the bones are realigned and fixed in position. Once the repair is complete, the wound is closed with stitches and bandaged in a specific way to hold the bones in the correct position while they heal.