Procedure of a Bunionectomy

Diagnosis and Definition

A bunion (hallux valgus) is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around a joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions often occur when the joint is stressed over a prolonged period. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library, “Ninety percent of bunions occur in women, primarily because women may be more likely to wear tight, pointed, and confining shoes.” Bunions may be inherited as a family trait and may also result from arthritis, which often affects the big toe joint. The intense pain makes walking and other activities extremely difficult. Since the involved joint is a significant structure in providing weight-bearing stability and walking on the foot while trying to avoid pressure on the painful area can create an unstable gait.

Etiology of the Disease Process Leading to this Procedure

The primary cause of bunions is a mechanical instability in the big toe joint. There are a number of different reasons as to why this may happen. Bunions tend to run in families so a person with a family history of bunions has an increased risk of developing them. The factors that are known to increase the risk of bunions include: wearing improperly fitting shoes (particularly narrow and or high-heeled shoes), certain arthritic conditions and ligament disorders, age (the incidence of bunions increases the age), being flatfooted with feel that roll inwards, past injury to the foot, and nerve conditions affecting the foot. According tosoutherncross.co.nz, “Bunions most commonly affect women approximately 90% of cases) and are less common in people who do not regularly wear shoes.

There are nonsurgical and surgrical treatments that can be accomplished for bunions. In most cases the symptoms of bunions can be reduced or relieved without surgery. Reducing pressure on the bunion is the first step in reducing the pain associated with the condition. Wearing correctly fitting shoes is important in achieving this. According to, southerncross.co.nz, “A...