The Five Questions You Need To Ask Your Podiatrist Before Bunion Surgery

Bunion surgery is a common and routine surgical procedure that many Podiatrists perform regularly.  Below, I have listed five questions that every patient should ask their Podiatrist before undergoing bunion surgery.

5. How long will I be on crutches or not able to bear weight on the foot?  This is important as after some bunion operations you can start bearing weight on the foot within two to three days. However, with some operations it could be as long as 6-8 weeks.  Generally speaking, the younger the patient the more severe the bunion, the longer the patient will be held off their foot.  On rare occasions the time off the foot may vary based on complications that arise during the surgery.  But 95% of the time, when the Podiatrist tells you how long you will be off your foot following bunion surgery, they are accurate.

4. Will the surgery be performed at a surgery center or a hospital? Hospitals tend to not look fondly on elective foot surgery, often giving bad start times.  Surgery centers many times will give morning start times and make the surgery a more pleasant experience.  Whenever possible try and have the Podiatrist perform the surgery at a surgery center even if it means you have to wait an extra week or two to get in.  It will be worth the wait in the long run.

3.  How long until I can perform high impact activity such as running or playing sports?  Just because a Podiatrist clears you to weight bear does not mean he has cleared you for other activities.  If running or playing sports is important you need to have a time table. Sometimes it can be as long as 4-5 months.

2. What kind of fixation for the bunion do you use?  Depending on the type of fixation from absorbable screws, plates, to K wires that protrude from the skin, sometimes the fixation has to be taken out as you need to know what is in there.  With K wires they are removed in the office, and you should be prepared to have wires sticking out of your foot.  Whereas solitary screws most of the time can stay in your foot forever.  Plates, however, can become prominent and often need to be taken out.  It is very important you are aware of the type of fixation used in your bunion surgery.

1.  How many bunion surgeries do you perform a month?  Bunion surgery is a simple operation. If a Podiatrist is doing anywhere from three to four a month, they are skilled.  It shows there is demand for this service that the Podiatrist offers, as well as demonstrating that he is competent at the procedure and getting regular work and repetition with the procedure.  Letters and Board certification are great, but you want a Podiatrist that is doing Bunion surgery regularly.