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Bunion removal - Recovery

Alternative Names

Bunionectomy; Hallux valgus correction

After the Procedure:

Most people go home the same day they have bunion removal surgery.

You should keep your foot propped up and protected from injury while it heals.

Your doctor will tell you how much weight you can put on your foot.

Full recovery may take 3 to 5 months.

Outlook (Prognosis):

You should have less pain after your bunion is removed. You should also be able to walk more easily. This surgery does repair some of the deformity of your foot. But it will not give you a perfect-looking foot.

Bunion removal - series

Reviewed last on: 2/19/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

References

Richardson EG. Disorders of the hallux. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 78.

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