How to maximize your recovery after bunion surgery, with soft tissue and bone healing.
 

Bunion surgery typically involves bone healing and soft tissue healing. The first metatarsal is typically realigned and the great toe joint has also been repositioned. There will be an incision and smaller incisions heal faster than larger ones. We always try to make your incisions as small as possible for this reason.

 

Bone healing can be enhanced in several ways. One recommendation is to take appropriate supplements. Ortho pro bono is a special bone healing supplement made by Ortho Molecular. I recommend that you take this during the first several months after bunion surgery. There are also special devices that enhance bone healing. These are bone healing stimulators. Some stimulators use ultrasound technology and some use an intermittent pulsed electronegative technology. Bone healing devices can be very expensive and the insurance companies will not always cover them. Smoking will classically prolong bone healing and therefore the insurance may consider the bone stimulator. If there are other high-risk situations this may also be something the insurance may be willing to allow coverage for these devices.

 

Proper casting after surgery or a cast boot is also critical. It is important to put weight on a part of the foot that won’t affect the bone healing of the first metatarsal. 

 

Soft tissue healing and swelling of tissues after surgery also should be addressed. Physical therapy can help regain normal range of motion of the great toe joint after surgery and is important. We can also reduce overall swelling during the postoperative course. Make sure that this is something that is addressed by your surgeon. I typically like to start patients with physical therapy 3-4 weeks after surgery.There are some studies that taking boron zinc and collagen can help with some soft tissue healing. It is especially important to take these extra supplements if you are a slow healer or have wounds that typically have a hard time healing.

 

Remember that after bunion surgery we want to maximize your soft tissue and bone healing to get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.

If you have questions about bunion surgery we would be happy to see you at Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists. Either myself Dr. Timothy Young, or my partner Dr. Brandon Nelson.

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.

Dr. Timothy Young Talks About Ganglion Cyst Developing Over a Bunion. 

This is not uncommon. In addition to a typical bunion it is possible to have a superimposed fluid filled sac. This could either be a ganglion cyst or a bursa sac.  During surgery, if the ganglion cyst or bursa sack is removed without addressing the underlying structure bunion problem, then there is a high likelihood of recurrence of the problem. The ganglion cyst can come back again, because the underlying capsule needs repairing along with the bunion that caused the problem. 

If you are concerned about a possible ganglion cyst or a soft tissue growth on top of your bunion and would like to discuss this, please contact myself Dr. Timothy Young or my partner Dr. Brandon Nelson. We both work at Foot Surgical Center of Issaquah. This serves the Greater Seattle Area, including Bellevue Issaquah and Redmond.

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. Our Issaquah Podiatrists would be happy to see you!

We often ignore the Tailor’s bunion. This is the painful bump that develops on the outside of the foot or lateral aspect of the foot just behind the small toe. Sometimes the surgery is very simple and basic and just involves shaving down the extra bone in the area and smoothing it down and then suturing things back together.

 

Other times patients have what we would call a splay foot and especially splaying of the fourth and fifth metatarsal. This is where the fifth metatarsal bows out. In this case, we have to reset the fifth metatarsal and surgically realign it back in its normal position. When this is done typically we will use at least one screw to help maintain the alignment of the bone in its new position. if you have a question about Tailor’s bunion correction or treatment options please contact our office at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

 

You can speak to myself Dr. Timothy Young or my partner Dr. Brandon Nelson. We both work at Foot Surgical Center of Issaquah. This serves the Greater Seattle Area, including Bellevue Issaquah and Redmond.

The vast majority of bunion surgery is done with the combination of local anesthetic and IV sedation. IV sedation is also sometimes referred to as twilight sleep. Very similar to when you have a colonoscopy.

We have the Anesthesia team come to our certified surgical suite and start the IV, make you comfortable and then you are asleep. While you are asleep we administer the local anesthetic. You don’t feel the Injection because you are sleeping and when you wake up after the procedure, your foot is numb and you have no pain. The local anesthetic can last for 24 hours or longer. This is excellent for the initial post procedure pain control.

 

If you have questions about Anesthesia and bunion surgery or bunion surgery itself. Please feel free to contact myself, Dr. Timothy Young or my partner, Dr. Brandon Nelson. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.