So you are going to have bunion surgery, but what procedure will you have done? There are about 50 bunion procedures being done all over the world, with varying approaches and designs. But not all bunion procedures and surgeries are created equal. Some are better than others. But some maybe better than others for your individual needs. Now I have previously written an article on what I consider the best five Bunion treatments (Spoiler alert Surgery is number one):
I have in this article attempted to list what I think are the five best bunion procedures as well as the bunion procedure that maybe best for you. I tried to keep the scientific references to a minimum:
5. Modified McBride– This is as simple as bunion surgery gets. Simply put all the surgeon does is go in and take the bump off, nothing more nothing less. This surgery will not straighten your toe or prevent the bunion from coming back. All this procedure will do is take the bump off. This procedure should ONLY be considered in the elderly people who are not very ambulatory, simply because it accomplishes nothing other than removing the bump. Typically, less skilled or lazy surgeons will do this procedure on younger people, who then get upset in five years when their bunion comes back just as it was before.
4. Akin Osteotomy– This is another outdated procedure which is typically used in conjuction with another procedure to make the toe look straighter. This procedure essentially accomplishes nothing. If you have heard of a double osteotomy procedure, it is the Akin that is the second procedure. Again this procedure accomplishes very little other than allowing the surgeon to bill for a second procedure. Some surgeon’s will claim it makes the toe look straighter, but it doesn’t. It’s been studied.
3.Base Wedge Osteotomy– These are also referred to as Crescentic bunionectomies. These procedures are typically reserved for severe bunion deformities. If you have a large bunion, this maybe the procedure for you, especially if you are in the age range of 30-40. This procedure is extensive and will require you to be off your feet for as long as 6 weeks, and does carry more risks then the procedures listed above. But it tends to be worth it in the end.
2. Lapidus Bunionectomy– This is a fusion of the joint between the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. If you are under the age of 30 this is probably the bunion procedure you want done as it will prevent your bunion from coming back. While this will require you to be off your feet for about 6 weeks, the benefits outweight the negatives, and not having to worry about your bunion coming back is ideal.
1. Austin Bunionectomy– This is by far the most common bunion procedure and the one that should be performed in most cases. This is the perfect procedure for mild to moderate bunions. It is a poor choice for severe bunions as it does not offer the correction to reduce the deformity. Chances are if you had bunion surgery or are about to have bunion surgery this is the procedure that you are going to have performed.