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Saturday, January 11, 2014

The Main Principles Of Bunion Surgery San Francisco Residents Should Know

By Marissa Velazquez


Bunions are lesions found on the toes. They are common in persons that have a condition known as hallux valgus. Conservative treatments are preferred because they are non-invasive. Surgery should only be considered if the conservative treatments are ineffective. Treatment is mainly aimed at restoring function. There are some important issues on bunion surgery San Francisco patients should be aware of before they sign up for it.

The main causative factor for the condition is improper shoes. Poorly fitting shoes that are usually too narrow tend to force toes into unnatural positions. Research also indicates that a significant number of cases are hereditary. In terms of prevalence, women are more frequently affected than their male counterparts. This is mainly attributable to their shoe designs.

If allowed to progress, these lesions become very painful and cause significant deformity. This is often the cause for those that are caused by arthritis. One of the non-surgical measures that can be undertaken is to change shoes to those that are properly fitting. The shoes that are chosen should conform to the shape of feet to avoid exerting excess pressure on prominent bony areas.

According to research many of the people who undergo the procedure respond positively. Only a small proportion may require more corrective procedures. The aims of surgical correction include pain reduction, realignment of joints and correction of any other deformities. The exact measures to be undertaken are determined by a number of factors that include the age, the general health status, severity and level of activity.

As if for any type of treatment, the first step if for the surgeon to take a comprehensive history on the condition and to do a physical. The history will help rule out the presence of any other diseases such as diabetes and arthritis all of which may manifest with similar symptoms. Radiological and laboratory examinations are then requested to locate the exact site of the problem.

Being a minor procedure, it is frequently done in the outpatient department. The patient is required to arrive at the facility early enough so that proper assessment can be done by the anesthetist and the attending surgeon. Alternatively one might be required to be admitted on the day preceding the surgery. Regional anesthesia is typically used but general anesthesia may be used in some cases. The total time taken from start to finish is about 1 hour.

The time to recover from the surgery may vary from one patient to another. The duration depends on the soft tissue and the bones affected. In most cases, patients will recover after 6 weeks to 6 months. It takes about an entire year to attain complete healing. There are various precautions that are recommended for the patients. This are intended to reduce any risks and promote healing. The foot must not be exposed to water to prevent any damage on the stitches. Special shoes, walking casts, splints or wooden shoes may be necessary.

There are a number of complications of bunion surgery San Francisco residents should anticipate if planning to undergo the procedure. Commonly encountered complications include infections, persistent pain, swelling, nerve damage and degenerative joint disease. It is important to discuss the possibility of experiencing these problems with the attending surgeon.




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