Author: Foot Doc
Date: 3/25/2007 5:12 am PDT
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Although the term "bunion shaving" in my opinion does not accurately characterize the procedure, as "shaving" would tend to imply scrapings of very thin segments, what you seem to be asking is when a "simple bunionectomy" is appropriate.
Although the term "bunion" really relates to the bump on or the excessive prominence of the first metatarsal head, most bunions brought to the attention of podiatrists are complicated with and often synonymous with "hallux valgus," where the great toe has drifted in the direction of the fifth toe and the first metatarsal has splayed medially (metatarsus primus varus) resulting with an apex at the medial aspect of the great toe/metatarsal joint. The difference between this and a simple bunion is that the hallux valus and metatarsus primus varus component is absent, or all but absent. If the position of the great toe is and has been stable for an extended period of years and there is little if any suspicion that hallux valgus is going to occur, a simple bunionectomy may be appropriate merely to reduce the size of the bunion bump. But if there is ongoing lateral movement of the great toe, as with a leaning tower, the more hallux valgus developes, the more is likely to develop. So assessment is key to the selection of procedures. A simple bunionectomy is substantially less surgery than a full bunionectomy with hallux valgus correction, and baring complications, and with uneventful healing, there should be a shorter recovery time and generally less post-operative pain.
But, again, assessment is key to the selection of procedures, and the selection and skillful performance of the procedure is key to long-term patient satisfaction. So the determination as to which procedure is appropriated, in my view, should not be predicated majorly on either the recovery time or the potential post-operative pain. |
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