Recovery after Bunion surgery

• Total recovery time after bunion surgery ranges from six weeks to eight months.
• Recovery time depends directly on the amount of bone and soft tissue affected during the operation.
• The longer the surgery is delayed, the longer the bunionette recovery is likely to be.

First of all, it is interesting to clarify that the bunion operation is actually called Hallux Valgus surgery, as the bunion itself is the bump that occurs on the deformity of the second metatarsal of the foot, becoming inflamed and causing pain. In contrast, the deformity of the bone is called Hallux Valgus and is itself what is repaired during the surgery.

Full recovery after bunionette surgery can range from six weeks to eight months, and in some cases up to a year. This recovery time varies depending on a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration.

One of the main factors that condition the recovery time after bunion operation is the amount of bone or soft tissue affected during the procedure. This amount will be greater the more severe the progression of the deformity, which is why it is recommended not to wait too long to undergo bunion surgery, as the sooner the problem is solved, the shorter the recovery time will be.

After bunion surgery, the patient loses part of the foot's range of movement, so it is very important that the patient complies with a series of exercises designed to recover it completely, as well as following the instructions recommended by the doctor to reduce pain. 

Some of the advice that the patient should follow are:

• Do not force the foot during the first 15 days. It is good for the patient to start walking as soon as possible after bunion surgery, but this should be done in moderation, otherwise it can be counterproductive and cause more pain and inflammation.
• Elevate the foot and cool with ice. This should be done regularly for 3 weeks after the bunion operation, especially after exercising or walking, to reduce the swelling.
• Wear special shoes. During the first two months of recovery, it is recommended to wear special shoes to keep the foot in a proper position while it heals.

If so, remember that you can request a surgical assessment consultation with one of our specialists in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery so that you can meet him/her, assess your case and decide whether surgery is the best option and thus schedule the whole process as soon as possible. 

You can request a free surgical assessment consultation by clicking below:

To find out more about bunion surgery, visit either of these two links:

• Hallux Valgus surgery with Osteotomy

• Hallux Valgus surgery without osteotomy