Foot & toes
Bunions: hallux valgus
Painful bunions: footwear measures, bone realignment and recovery after correction.
Understanding the condition
A bunion involves the big toe drifting towards the smaller toes, with a prominence at the base of the big toe. Symptoms may include rubbing, pain and difficulty finding shoes. Examination and standing X-rays assess alignment, joint arthritis and associated lesser-toe problems.
Treatment options
Wide shoes, protective padding, insoles and suitable pain relief may help symptoms. Surgery is usually considered for pain or functional limitation that persists; appearance alone is not a good reason. Continuing non-surgical care remains an option.
What a procedure may involve
Operations vary. A Scarf or Chevron osteotomy realigns the first metatarsal; an Akin osteotomy may adjust the big-toe bone. A Lapidus procedure fuses the first tarsometatarsal joint when appropriate. Fixation may use screws, staples or plates. Your operation is selected for your deformity.
Risks and benefits to discuss
The aim is more comfortable footwear and improved function. Risks include recurrence, overcorrection, stiffness, transfer pain beneath smaller toes, nonunion or malunion, painful metalwork, infection, nerve symptoms, blood clots and persistent pain. Perfect straightness or unrestricted footwear cannot be promised.
Any operation also carries bleeding and anaesthetic risks. Occasionally, complex regional pain syndrome causes prolonged pain and sensitivity. Your health and the extent of surgery change your personal risk.
Rehabilitation and aftercare
Dressings help protect the wound and toe position. Keep them dry and use the prescribed offloading shoe. Heel-only loading or other limits may apply; follow your own schedule. Toe exercises and progression to normal footwear depend on the procedure and healing.
Expected outcomes and recovery
Swelling commonly continues for months. Return to work and sport varies with the operation and job demands. Some toe stiffness may remain and a bunion can recur. Discuss any plans for both feet, because this changes practical recovery needs.
When to seek urgent help
Seek prompt advice for rapidly increasing pain, spreading redness, wound discharge, fever, new numbness or a cast or boot causing pressure. New calf pain or swelling needs urgent assessment. Chest pain or breathlessness needs emergency help: call 999.
Your consent discussion
Ask which treatment best addresses your symptoms, what alternatives are reasonable, what the main risks mean for you, and what recovery will involve at home and work. This guide supports that discussion; consent is completed with your treating team. Your individual written instructions take priority.
Your consent discussion
Use the patient pack to record your priorities, the proposed procedure, its alternatives, the benefits you hope for and risks that matter to you. A clinician will discuss your individual circumstances and complete the appropriate hospital consent process with you.
Reading or downloading a guide does not give consent. You can ask further questions, decline treatment or change your mind before the procedure.
Further reading & sources
Prepared 10 October 2026 for the practice of Mr Peyman Bakhshayesh. Professional background. General patient education; your clinical assessment and written instructions determine your care.
Private care in Huddersfield
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