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Bunions
 
A bunion is seen as an enlargement or "bump" on the inside of
the foot near the big toe. Often, the big toe will turn and begin to point toward the second toe.
Actually, a bunion forms when one of the long bones of the foot, known as the first metatarsal,
becomes dislocated toward the other foot.
The problem is often aggravated by narrow shoes, and a callus
often forms on the side and underneath the bone and on the side of the big toe.
The corrective procedure most often performed at Center
for Advanced Foot Surgery is as follows: an incision approximately 1/8 inch in length is
made over the "neck" of the first metatarsal bone, and using a tiny drill, a small cut is made
across the bone enabling the doctor to reposition the top 1/3 of the bone to a straight position.
Also, the area of the metatarsal bone where the bump was located is smoothed down. It is also
necessary in most cases to "lenghten" one or more of the tendons (muscle attachments) to the big
toe. In cases of severe bunions, it may also be necessary to make a second cut in the bone of the
big toe in order to further straighten that toe. It is usually necessary to wear a post-surgical
shoe for 3 to 4 weeks after this procedure is performed with the bandage changed once each week.
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