Bunion Surgery (Bunionectomy)

Bunion surgery, or bunionectomy, is surgery to treat deformed bones of the big toe and foot.

Bunions form on the inside edge of the foot, near the base of the big toe. These bony growths can cause pain and interfere with your ability to walk. Bunion removal can help relieve pain and restore your mobility.

At UPMC, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts at bunion removal surgery. We offer several different types of bunion operations, including minimally invasive bunion surgery.

What Is Bunion Surgery?

Bunionectomy (surgery to remove a bunion) is a very common procedure to remove a bony, painful bump at the base of your big toe. When you have a bunion, your big toe points toward your second toe.

The goal of bunion surgery is to:

• Correct the foot deformity that caused the bunion.
• Improve the stability of your foot.
• Let you walk normally again.
• Prevent development of osteoarthritis, hammer toes, or claw toes.
• Realign the joint at the base of the big toe.
• Relieve pain.

Types of bunion surgery

There are many kinds of bunion operations. Which one is best for you depends on the severity of your bunion, your lifestyle, and whether you have arthritis. Your doctor will talk to you about which type of bunion surgery might be right for you.

They may suggest:

• Arthrodesis — Also called a fusion, this procedure removes the arthritic joint surface and uses screws, wires, or plates.
• Big toe tendon and ligament repair — Often combined with osteotomy, this procedure releases tight tendons and ligaments around the joint and tightens loose ones.
• Exostectomy — Removes the bump from the toe joint. It is usually performed with osteotomy to realign the joint and correct the cause of the bunion.
• Lapiplasty® — Restores the foot to its normal alignment without cutting the bone. Doctors rotate the metatarsal bone back to proper alignment, then secure the joint with titanium plates. The procedure is best for moderate to severe bunions.
• Minimally invasive bunion surgery — Surgeons use small cuts and specialized tools to treat bunions. The advantage may be less pain and swelling, smaller scars, and faster recovery time. Minimally invasive procedures are best for treating mild to moderate bunions.
• Osteotomy — Realigns the joint by using screws, plates, or pins to fix the bone deformity.
• Resection arthroplasty — Removes the joint damage caused by the bunion. Doctors may combine it with exostectomy or osteotomy.

Conditions we treat with bunion surgery

We treat painful bunions with various types of surgery. Doctors may consider bunionectomy major or minor surgery, depending what type of procedure you need.

Bunions may be hereditary. Some people are born with abnormal alignment of the bones of the foot and are more likely to develop bunions.

Wearing high heels with a narrow toe may also contribute to formation of bunions. Bunions are more common in women than men.

We only perform bunion medical procedures if your bunions haven’t responded to more conservative treatments.

Why Would I Need Bunion Surgery?

If bunions are causing you pain and other treatments haven’t worked, surgery might be the answer. Bunion surgery can let you get back to your daily life and the activities you enjoy without pain.

Bunions will not go away on their own. They will only grow and become more painful. So sometimes surgery is the best way to get back to normal movement and an active lifestyle.

Who’s a candidate for bunion surgery?

You may be a good candidate for a bunionectomy if:

• Big toe inflammation and swelling doesn’t improve with rest or medicine.
• Bunion pain interferes with everyday activities like walking.
• Conservative (nonsurgical) treatments haven’t brought relief.
• Wearing comfortable shoes doesn’t help with pain.
• You can’t bend or straighten your big toe.
• Your big toe crossed over the second toe.

Alternatives to bunion surgery

If your bunions are mild, you may find relief without surgery.

You can care for bunions and find pain relief without surgery by:

• Adding foam or felt padding in shoes to help separate toes.
• Icing the big toe.
• Injection therapy.
• Managing your weight.
• Performing foot-strengthening exercises or physical therapy.
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen.
• Wearing orthotic inserts in your shoes
• Wearing shoes with holes in the toe box when you're at home.
• Wearing wide-width or wide toe box shoes.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Bunion Surgery?

Bunion surgery is a common and safe procedure. It’s rare for serious complications to occur, but every surgery has some risks.

General risks of surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Breathing problems
• Infection

Risks of bunion surgery include:

• Arthritis in the toe.
• Instability in the foot.
• Nerve damage.
• Numbness in the big toe.
• Pain.
• Stiffness in the toe.
• The surgery not correcting the problem.
• The wound not healing well.

What Should I Expect From Bunion Surgery?

Most bunion procedures are done on an outpatient basis. That means you ‘ll go home the same day.

Before: How to prepare for bunion surgery

The week before your surgery, your doctor may ask you to:

• Quit smoking.
• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Stop taking blood thinners. Ask your doctor what other medications you should or should not take before the surgery.

The day of your surgery, you will need to:

• Arrive on time to the surgery center. That’s usually an hour or two before your procedure.
• Bring someone to drive you home.
• Follow any instructions for not eating or drinking before the surgery.

How long does bunion surgery take?

A bunionectomy can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. It depends what type of surgery you have, and if there are any complications during the procedure.

During your bunion surgery

You will receive anesthesia to numb your foot. You may also receive medicine to help you relax.

Depending what type of surgery you have, your doctor will make one or more incisions in the big toe joint. They may cut the bone, tighten or loosen tendons and ligaments, and reposition the toe. Your foot may get stabilized with metal plates, wires, or screws.

Recovery after bunion surgery

You will stay in the recovery room for an hour or two after surgery. You will have some pain after the surgery, which is normal. Your doctor will send you home with pain medicine.

Once you get home, you should rest with your foot up. Icing will keep the swelling down for the first two days.

How soon you can move around will depend on what kind of surgery you had. You may need a walker, cane, or crutches for up to six weeks.

Your doctor will show you how to change the bandage on your toe. It needs to be in a specific position to heal properly.

Recovery from bunion surgery can take between six weeks and six months. It may even be a year before you're feeling back to normal. It depends on how much of the soft tissue and bone the surgery involved.

You may have swelling in your foot for up to six months after bunion surgery. You’ll continue to see your orthopaedic surgeon for several months to a year to make sure your foot is healing well.

When to call your doctor about bunion surgery post-op problems

It’s not common, but sometimes complications occur after bunion surgery.

You should call your doctor if you have:

• A fever higher than 101° F.
• Chills or shaking.
• Increased pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Significant swelling in the calf above the foot.
• Warmth or redness around the dressing.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-05-26.