The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Bunion removal
If you have a bunion, our foot and ankle orthopaedic specialists across our sites can provide treatments and surgery to remove bunions.
Removing a bunion
Pressure on the inside of your foot can cause your big toe to be pushed against your other toes. As a result, a bunion (a painful bony lump) forms, which is a deformity of your big toe. Bunion removal can get rid of this bony lump and also help to realign your toes.
What is the best treatment for bunions?
Bunions that cause pain, either around the bunion area or because they’re pushing the second toe over or under the big toe, can usually be treated with non-surgical options, such as broader or more stretchy footwear.
The only way to definitively get rid of bunions is through surgical treatment. We're proud to offer various types of surgery including keyhole bunion surgery (also known as minimally invasive bunion surgery) at The Lister Hospital in Chelsea, which is showing to provide a quicker recovery time for patients than that of open surgery.
What does keyhole bunion surgery entail?
Even with keyhole bunion reconstruction surgery or minimally invasive bunion surgery, the treatment will correct the shape of your foot. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes and will involve the use of general and local anaesthetic. If patients can't tolerate general anaesthetic then this needn't be a barrier as consideration can be made for spinal anaesthetic or a block of part of the leg.
At HCA UK we use state-of-the-art theatres, and surgery is performed with an X-ray machine in sterile conditions, which means live imaging can be taken during surgery.
For keyhole bunion surgery, small incisions are made in the skin to facilitate breaking the bones either side of the big toe joint. This will then allow the bones to be pushed into a better position before fixing them with screws. These screws generally stay in and do not need to be removed, though they can be if required.
The shape of the bone is also further modified using a shaving technique through the same tiny incisions. A keyhole approach to bunion surgery has the benefit of a quicker recovery, which means sees many patients walk immediately after surgery.
What are the benefits of keyhole bunion surgery?
Keyhole surgery patients who have had a previous bunion using open surgery methods have reported the keyhole experience is less painful. Bones still take six weeks to heal and three months to consolidate or become more solid, but the return to activity is usually quicker.
Patients also report not needing any analgesia (pain relief) after surgery, though some patients may benefit from a day or two of pain relief depending on the initial shape of the foot and the severity of the bunion.
Need to know
Surgery is the only way to remove a bunion and your GP or consultant will take an X-ray to assess the extent of your condition. During the procedure, the consultant makes a small cut in the skin and removes the bony lump by cutting or scraping it away. Your big toe is then straightened and realigned and pins or screws are used to hold the toe in the correct position. These are usually left in permanently.
Bunion removal is generally a very safe procedure. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you might have. Bunion removal may be done under local or general anaesthetic, depending on the extent of your condition. We will let you know in advance how long to avoid eating and drinking
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery unit, where our dedicated team will look after you. You’ll be given pain relief medication if needed.
Most bunion removal procedures are performed as day cases, so you won’t need to stay in hospital long and should be able to go home after one day. Your consultant or specialist nurse will let you know when you can leave the hospital. They will also advise you on how to manage your recovery and when you can get back to your usual daily routines.
Avoid driving for up to eight weeks and sports for anywhere up to 6 months, depending on your recovery.
Request a foot appointment
We can help you make an appointment with one of our experienced foot specialists and can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you if you need them.
Our bunion removal locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.