Bunionectomy
What is a Bunionectomy?
A bunionectomy is a surgical procedure to correct a bunion, a bony deformity at the base of the big toe (hallux valgus), where the toe angles inward, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty with footwear. It realigns the toe and removes the bony prominence to relieve symptoms and improve foot function. In India, bunionectomy is performed in orthopedic or podiatric departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients.
Why do you need Bunionectomy?
Bunionectomy is indicated for:
- Severe bunion deformity:
- Pain: Persistent discomfort in the big toe joint, worsened by walking or tight shoes.
- Deformity: Big toe angles toward other toes (hallux valgus angle >15°), causing a visible bump.
- Functional limitations:
- Difficulty walking or wearing shoes due to pain or deformity.
- Overlapping toes: Crowding or pressure on adjacent toes.
- Failed conservative treatment:
- No relief from padding, orthotics, wide shoes, or anti-inflammatory medications.
- Associated conditions:
- Arthritis in the big toe joint (hallux rigidus) or bursitis from pressure.
The procedure aims to realign the big toe, remove the bony prominence, and restore foot function, improving comfort and appearance.
Why Do Bunionectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh :
- Procedure Type: Simple exostectomy (₹50,000–₹80,000); osteotomy or Lapidus procedure (₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹10,000–₹30,000; often subsidized under schemes like Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced orthopedic surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹5,000–₹10,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹10,000/day), fixation devices (₹5,000–₹15,000), physiotherapy (₹5,000–₹15,000 for 2–3 months).
- Insurance: Covered for functional issues (e.g., pain, deformity); confirm with your provider.
Bunionectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Physical exam: Assesses bunion severity, toe alignment, and joint mobility.
- X-ray: Measures hallux valgus angle (normal: <15°; severe: >30°) and intermetatarsal angle (normal: <9°).
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile.
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe.
- Consent: Risks, including recurrence, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Bunionectomy:
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation or spinal anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- Incision: Made on the side or top of the big toe joint (2–5 cm).
- Bone correction:
- Osteotomy: Cuts and realigns the metatarsal bone (e.g., chevron or scarf osteotomy).
- Exostectomy: Removes the bony prominence (bump).
- Soft tissue release: Adjusts ligaments/tendons to correct toe alignment.
- Fixation: Screws, pins, or plates secure the bone (e.g., titanium screws).
- Joint capsule and skin are closed with sutures.
- Variations:
- Minimal incision bunionectomy: Smaller incision, faster recovery, but limited to mild cases.
- Lapidus procedure: Fuses the 1st tarsometatarsal joint for severe deformities or hypermobility.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Osteotome/saw: Cuts bone for realignment.
- Fixation devices: Screws or pins to stabilize bones.
- Fluoroscopy: Intraoperative X-ray to confirm alignment.
- Bunionectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Foot care: Surgical shoe or cast for 4–6 weeks; ice and elevation to reduce swelling.
- Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, tramadol) for 5–7 days.
- Instructions: Non-weight-bearing for 2–6 weeks (varies by procedure); use crutches or walker; keep foot dry.
Recovery After Bunionectomy
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Peaks at 3–5 days; ice and elevation help; swelling subsides in 6–12 weeks.
- Mobility: Non-weight-bearing for 2–6 weeks (varies); partial weight-bearing in a surgical shoe at 4–6 weeks.
- Physiotherapy: Starts at 4–6 weeks; focuses on range of motion, strength, and gait training; continues for 2–3 months.
- Footwear: Surgical shoe for 4–6 weeks; transition to wide, supportive shoes at 6–8 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid high-impact activities (e.g., running) for 3–6 months; normal walking in 2–3 months.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week, 2 weeks (suture removal), 6 weeks, and 3 months to monitor healing and alignment.
- X-ray: At 6 weeks to confirm bone healing.
Most resume normal walking in 2–3 months; full recovery (including sports) takes 3–6 months. Success rate: 85–90% achieve pain relief and improved alignment; cosmetic results vary.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Infection (1–3%): Superficial or deep; treated with antibiotics, may need debridement.
- Bleeding (1–2%): Hematoma; may need drainage.
- Nerve injury (1–2%): Numbness or tingling near incision; usually temporary.
- Post-Surgery:
- Recurrence (5–15%): Bunion returns over years; risk higher with improper footwear or severe deformity.
- Stiffness (5–10%): Limited big toe motion; managed with physiotherapy.
- Delayed bone healing (2–5%): Nonunion or malunion; may need revision surgery.
- Overcorrection (1–3%): Big toe angles outward (hallux varus); may need corrective surgery.
- Long-Term:
- Arthritis (5–10% over 10 years): Joint degeneration; managed with orthotics or medication.
- Swelling (5–10%): Persistent for 6–12 months; elevation and compression help.
Report severe pain, swelling, fever, or redness promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes a bunion?
Genetics, tight footwear, high heels, flat feet, or arthritis; more common in women.
Can I avoid a bunionectomy?
Yes, if mild: Wide shoes, padding, orthotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs; surgery is for severe pain or deformity.
Is a bunionectomy painful?
Moderate pain for 3–7 days post-surgery, managed with medication; discomfort reduces in 2–3 weeks.
How soon can I resume activities?
Walking (with surgical shoe): 4–6 weeks; normal walking: 2–3 months; sports: 3–6 months.
Is a bunionectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for functional issues (e.g., pain, deformity); confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Severe pain, swelling, fever, or redness.
Will my bunion come back?
5–15% recurrence risk; proper footwear and foot care reduce this risk.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Wear wide, supportive shoes, avoid high heels, follow physiotherapy, maintain healthy weight, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Bunionectomy is an effective procedure to relieve pain and correct bunion deformity, with a high success rate for improving foot function. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable, expert care, often covered by insurance for functional issues. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult an orthopedic surgeon for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Bunionectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Ahmedabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Aligarh |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Allahabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Amritsar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aurangabad |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bangalore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Belgaum |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhopal |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bikaner |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Chandigarh |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Delhi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Durgapur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Faridabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Guntur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gurgaon |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gwalior |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Hyderabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jabalpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Jaipur |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jamshedpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jodhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kanpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kochi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Lucknow |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ludhiana |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mangalore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Meerut |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Moradabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Nashik |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Pune |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Rajkot |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ranchi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Surat |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Varanasi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.