Do You Need Bunion Surgery?

What Are Bunions?


Bunions are a condition in which a bony bump forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, developing when the big toe bones become misaligned. This condition has many causes but is often due to wearing shoes that force the toe into an unnatural position, such as high heels. 

Bunions can be painful, making it difficult to do your favorite activities.

What Can You Do To Ease Bunion Pain?

Nearly 3 million people suffer from bunions. The condition is incredibly prevalent in our active mountain community, one that Dr. Elton and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery regularly treat in his Eagle and Summit County clinics.

While bunions are a common foot condition, ignoring bunions and bunion pain can lead to complications that impact your quality of life. If left untreated, bunions can cause:

  • Arthritis: Bunions can cause the cartilage in the toe joint to deteriorate, leading to arthritis in the foot. 

  • Chronic pain: Constant foot pain that impacts your daily movements.  

  • Hammertoe: When the bunions cause your second toe to crossover your big toe.

  • Bursitis: A condition where the cushioning in the joints becomes inflamed. 

  • Toe Infections: Typically a result of repeated irritation from your bunions rubbing against your shoe.

  • Metatarsalgia: Inflammation of the bones in the ball of your foot.

After diagnosing your bunions, Dr. Elton may recommend any of the following nonsurgical treatments for easing your painful symptoms:

  • Custom shoes that offer a supportive fit

  • Ice

  • Physical therapy

  • Padding

  • Shoe inserts

  • Night splints

If your bunions continue to grow or the painful symptoms persist, Dr. Elton may recommend surgery.

What are the Surgical Options For Bunions?

Dr. Elton may recommend bunion surgery in the following situations:

  • Bunions have led to chronic inflammation of the toes

  • Your bunions are impacting your healthy lifestyle

  • Bunions are causing a toe deformity

  • Bunion pain has not improved with conservative treatment

  • Toe swelling and stiffness that does not improve with rest

Once Dr. Elton identifies if you're a candidate for bunion surgery, he'll talk you through your surgical options. Some procedures he may recommend include:

  • Tendon and Ligament Repair: A bunion surgery that corrects the tissue imbalance on the affected toe.

  • Osteotomy: During this bunion surgery, the bones of the toe are realigned to rebalance the joint.

  • Exostectomy: The bump on the affected toe joint is removed. This is typically performed along with another procedure to correct the cause of the bunion.

  • Arthrodesis: This bunion surgery is performed only if the bunion is severe enough to cause significant arthritis. The goal of this procedure is to remove the damaged section of the toe joint.

While all bunion surgeries are outpatient procedures, recovering from bunion surgery often takes four to six months. After your surgery, Dr. Elton will create a recovery plan that includes some or all of the following:

  • Physical therapy

  • Exercise and stretching

  • Customized shoes

Expect to schedule follow-up visits with your orthopaedic physician for a year after bunion surgery. This is so Dr. Elton can track your progress and adjust your recovery plan as needed. 

Discuss Your Bunions With Vail's Premiere Foot Specialist

Dr. Elton and his team are here to treat your bunions so you can get back to doing the activities you love. With three conveniently located clinics in Eagle County and Frisco, Colorado, finding bunion treatment has never been easier!

Schedule your appointment today by calling (970) 370-9313 or via our online appointment form. 

Foot ConditionsTeam EltonVail Summit Orthopaedics & NeurosurgeryBunions