Can you get a blood clot from bunion surgery?

The answer is yes you can get a blood clot from Bunion surgery, although the chances are less than 1%. The follow up answer is the chances of dying from it are minor (less than 1% again).  With Bunion surgery you are non weight bearing for a period of time and this causes a patient to become sedentary.  Sedentary activity as well as recent bone surgery increase the risk of having a blood clot.

 

A blood clot after bunion surgery generally maifests itself as the foot becoming very swollen and red.  This blood clot tends to subside and can do so without any treatment.  If the blood clot causes pain in the calf, then you should drive to the nearest ER to have an ultrasound done to check for a blood clot.

Prevention of blood clots in bunion surgery depends on what your risk factors are.  If you have very little risk factors no prevention should be taken. If you have multiple risk factors it should be considered.  Increased risk factors include: Birth Control, Obesity and previous blood clots.  If you suffer from one of these risk factors taking Asparin after your surgery should be all that is required.  If you have a history of blood clots, you should not be having bunion surgery as it is not worth the risk.  If you are obese and on birth control just be aware and vigilant and you should be fine.  In conclusion, blood clots are not a good enough reason or risk to forgo bunion surgery.