At Spire Clare Park Hospital in Farnham, Surrey, we have experienced orthopaedic surgeons who carry out bunion surgery routinely. They work within our laminar flow theatres to reduce the risk of infection. With the support of our physiotherapists, they aim to get you back to fitness as quickly as possible. Ask your GP for a referral to the orthopaedic team Spire Clare Park Hospital. Alternatively, contact the customer services team for more information.
About the surgery
Patients with Hallux Valgus (Bunion) usually complain of a painful bump on the medial (inside) of the great toe (Hallux) metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. The hallux moves towards the second toe occasionally causing crossover of toes.
The tendons that pass under the metatarsal head have two bones within them (sesamoids). The best example of a sesamoid bone is the knee cap. Sesamoid bones are present when a tendon is likely to be but under great stress (60% of your bodyweight goes through the the hallux MTP joint when walking). Over time, the metatarsal head falls medially off the sesamoid platform, leaving the lateral sesamoid uncovered. The tendons attached to the hallux pull the toe into further valgus and worsen the metatarso-sesamoid subluxation. Ultimately, the weight bearing function of the great toe becomes compromised and lateral metatarsalgia (forefoot pain) may result as weight bearing is transferred laterally.
The operation aims to reposition the metatarsal head over the sesamoids and restores the normal weight bearing properties of the metatarsal. By narrowing the intermetatarsal angle (and removing the medial bump (exostosis)), it reduces the forefoot splaying as well as the overall width of the forefoot.