What is involved in a hallux valgus surgery and how does it take to fully heal?

See below: There are many different types of hallux valgus procedures, but most involve removal of the bump of bone from the side of the 1st metatarsal and then cutting of the bone at some level and re-positioning the bone and fixating the bone in a new position. Depending at the level of the bone surgery it can take up to 6 months to fully heal.

3-4 months: Overall, until you are back to full unrestricted activity it will be about 3-4 months. Typically if the bone is cut to fix your hallux valgus, it will take 8-12 weeks for the bone to fully heal. There are many different types of correction they all involve cutting bone and moving it, or fusing them together to achieve appropriate correction.

Multiple procedures: Depending on the type of hallux valgus - -bunion deformity present, dictates the type of procedure. The most simple, if indicated is a mcbride. This just removes the bump and the patient recuperates with 2-4 weeks and walks immediately. More involved procedures may need a fusion of the joint or a cutting of the bone- osteotomy or joint implant. These procedures extend recuperation.

Healing times vary: Various surgical procedures are available to treat hallux valgus depending on the type and severity of the deformity. The procedures are designed to correct abnormalities of soft tissues, remove the prominent “bump” of bone, correct the changes in the bony structures, and to realign the big toe and associated structures. The goal of surgery is to reduce pain and improve function.

Ask your surgeon.: Every surgery is different, and depending on what type of procedure you have (screw? Bone cute?), you may be able to walk a few days after surgery, or you might need to be off of it for several weeks. Ask your surgeon when you can progress to weight bearing, when you can start wearing regular shoes, and when you can start exercising. Post-operative x-rays will tell them how fast you're healing.