A bunion is the enlargement of the tissue or bone that is situated at the base of the big toe. The main reason for the formation of bunions is if the joint is placed under stress for extended periods of time. Bunions may be inherited and could be a result of arthritis. Bunion surgery San Francisco is an effective method of treatment for this condition.

A good starting point to deal with the condition is by wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes. The shoes you wear should be suitable for your particular foot shape. An alternate treatment is to make use of splints or orthotics to try and reposition the affected toe. If the attempts at using non-surgical methods fail, it may be necessary to undergo surgery.

Bunion surgery San Francisco consists of different surgical techniques. The procedure your doctor recommends will be based on your general health, age and level of activity. The condition's severity will also be taken into account. An additional factor related to the type of procedure is the condition of the connective tissue and your bones. Your doctor will only suggest surgery if you are in severe pain and if all methods have failed.

A common surgical procedure that is used is an osteotomy. There are various types of this procedure, but the surgical procedure involves cutting and removing a part of the bone that is situated inside your toe. A lump of bone will be removed and the bones inside the toe will be straightened.

More pieces of bone may have to be removed if the big toe joint has to be realigned. There are instances when an added procedure by the name of distal soft tissue realignment has to be done. This calls for the adjustment of the tissues in the foot to correct the deformed toe joint. The procedure allows the appearance and the stability of the foot to be improved.

Another surgical method that is used is termed Arthrodesis. During this technique two bones in the toe joint are fused together. This procedure is normally recommended for patients who are suffering from severe deformities of their big toe joints. The severe deformity makes it very difficult for the joint to be repaired effectively. The method is used when there is joint degeneration present. This type of surgical method will reduce the movement in the big toe quite dramatically.

Your doctor may recommend a procedure called arthroplasty. Excision arthroplasty is a process whereby the bunion and a section of bone in the joint are removed. A false joint will eventually be formed from the scar tissue that forms during the process of healing. The joint is pinned into its normal position by the use of wires. These wires are removed some weeks after the procedure. This technique is reserved for specific cases only. It is generally used for patients who suffer from severe cases of this condition, particularly the elderly.

Bunion surgery San Francisco is a surgical method that requires consultation with your doctor. In cases where a professional dancer or sportsperson suffers from this condition, they would have to be at the end of their careers before it will be undertaken. The procedure could cause your toes to lose flexibility. It may not be possible for you to reach the same activity level you experienced prior to the procedure.