Question
Dr. Katz, I had a Chevron Bunionectomy (with screws inserted) on both the left foot and right foot on January 2nd. I am in the surgical boots for 5weeks but did not have a cast. I am 33years old. I am a week away from going back to normal shoes. However, my feet look far from straight and in fact the big toe on my left foot still slants inward in addition to what I would consider a significant bump/outgrowth still prominent where the bunion was (by no means is the foot straight)

Does this sound typical or cause for concern?

I also had what I understood to be a correction to a tailor bunion on my left foot. After surgery, there was a tiny mark on my left pinky toe that had really no pain or discomfort. I found this odd considering my research on tailor bunions was that they were BELOW the toe where the foot juts out (and mine does), not ON the pinky toe itself. I also found it odd that it looked like nothing was really done although there was a clear tiny x mark on the pinky toe.  Have you heard of this before? My Dr. is head of podiatry at a major hospital so I can't imagine he'd be that far off on my feet but I am really surprised at how my left foot so clearly still appears to have a large angle/protrusion.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Answer
Hi Michelle,

First, my apologies for the slow response.  It has been a hectic week.

Following a bunion surgery there may be swelling to a degree that may make an area larger than it actually will be with final healing.  Also, following a bunion correction, you would not want a perfectly straight toe.  There should be some natural curve or your shoes will not fit properely.

However, it is possible that the correction did not completely resolve the deformity.  That is one of the possible outcomes after this surgery even if the procedure was done well.  This can happen in the hands of the finest surgeon.  The body is not always predictable.  

This is why we as Drs go through a consent form and fully inform patients of possible risks and complications.

If there was a small mark on the toe perhaps a tendon was released.  Other possibilities would be that the mark was an entrance for a bone sutting bur that removed bone just behind the toe where the bunion occurs.  It would be hard to know without seeing your foot.

The best option is to have an open discussion with your surgeon and talk about these issues.  In the end I'm sure all will work out well.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


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