Bunion – complete correction

The severity of the deformity in itself is not the main indicator, but rather the amount of pain. When you start experiencing frequent intolerable pain, it is time for surgery.

A properly treated deformity will not come back. Otherwise, the return of the deformity can be expected.

Deformities of the forefoot are some of the most underestimated issues of the osteoarticular system. Their treatment is trivialised – so much so, that, according to available data from scientific literature, up to 50% of patients experience dissatisfaction with the results.

A properly executed surgical procedure should bring long-lasting results, therefore the deformity is not expected to revert.

The most important things in forefoot surgery, and our key assets, are knowledge and experience of the surgeon!

Compared to a standard open surgery, minimally invasive surgery is technically more challenging, but:

• Offers unlimited correction possibilities
• Causes less tissue damage
• Is less painful
• Recovery is quicker
• The aesthetic results are better

Forefoot surgery has been changing and improving with time. Today we can talk about a 4^th generation of minimally invasive surgery, which is the type performed by dr. Rakovac.

The main complication after surgery is the infection of the surgical wound. Feet are not a particularly “clean” area and infections are the most common issue in any type of foot surgery. The probability of infection decreases with the employment of minimally invasive surgery methods. Other possible complications are those common for surgical procedures in general, like thrombosis or embolism, but their occurrence is reduced to the lowest chance as well.

Make sure to wear comfortable clothes when coming in for surgery. The procedure is carried out with the use of local anaesthesia, so it is important that you are not sick or have an acute illness. Everything else that you should need before and immediately after the procedure (crutches, postoperative shoes, painkillers) will be given to you at the Polyclinic.

The surgery is carried out with the use of local anaesthesia that numbs a part or the entire foot from the ankle to the toes. In the first 24 hours after surgery, you will not feel any pain. After that, pain is usually mild to moderate.

Set aside 3 hours of your time for your feet.

Come to the Polyclinic an hour before surgery. After a brief consultation with dr. Rakovac, you will be given the anaesthetic.

After that, with the support of a physiotherapist, you will try walking in special postoperative shoes and with crutches.

Lastly, you will undergo the surgical procedure, which lasts about 90 minutes on average.

Instead of big incisions and open surgery, we carry out all foot surgeries with the use of keyhole surgery (2-3 incisions of about 2mm).

During the development of the hallux valgus deformity, joints, ligaments and tendons progressively become unstable, mainly in the inner part of the foot. During the course of the surgical procedure, it is necessary to stabilise the position of joints and tendons, as well as the tension of tendons. To do this, we use minimally invasive techniques – the whole foot reconstruction procedure is done through three 2mm incisions on the skin, which heal quickly. One or more bones are cut, corrected and fixed with screws.

After the surgery, you stand up and walk, and after a brief conversation with dr. Rakovac you will be discharged. The total stay in the Polyclinic is about 2-3 hours.

You will need to have your medical dressings changed once a week by a competent physician for two weeks. Stitches (2-3) are removed 14-21 days after surgery.

Hallux valgus surgery is considered to be a painful procedure, but not with the presented method. Minimally invasive surgery significantly reduces tissue trauma. You will start getting your sensitivity back into your feet 24 hours after the anaesthesia injection. After that, pain is not significant.

Immediately after the procedure, you will walk in special shoes by bearing your full weight. Barefoot full weight-baring walking will be possible after 4-6 weeks. A complete recovery is expected 3 months after surgery.

Immediately after the surgery, you will stand up and walk by bearing your full weight in special shoes. The shoes need to be worn for 4-6 weeks depending on the extent of the correction.

You will not be able to wash or wet your feet for 14 days after surgery.

You will not be able to drive your car for 4-6 weeks after surgery, unless you drive a car with an automatic gearbox and have had surgery just on your left foot.

Swelling in the operated part of the foot can last up to 3-5 months after surgery, rarely even up to a year. Our feet are the lowest point in our body and many patients have problems with swollen feet even without having done a surgery.

SHOES

4 to 6 weeks after surgery you will be able to use standard footwear again, with sneakers being the most appropriate for the first period.

he right time to go back to work depends on the individual and needs to be discussed with dr. Rakovac. Patients with sedentary jobs can go back to work after one or two weeks, while patients whose jobs require standing for many hours are expected to go back to work after 2-3 months.

Physical therapy is useful after the surgery. It is important to maintain the flexibility of the big toe joint from day one, which you will get indications for.

It is not always necessary to come in person for a check-up, as we are always available online.

The first check-up is done via phone call the day after surgery.

During the second check-up, 5-7 days after surgery, you will have your medical dressing changed by a competent physician. If you are worried about complications, contact us and send photos of your feet.

At the third check-up you will have your medical dressing changed again, and you will have your stitches removed (if you have any).

Further check-ups will be done once a month, more or less frequently, based on the patient’s needs.

If something appears to interfere the standard course of recovery, please contact us for an additional check-up. The need for additional check-ups concerns about 1,4% of patients (it usually means some type of complication has occurred).

We are familiar with the course of events after surgery, but it is a new experience for you, which is why we will be there during your recovery, whenever it is necessary!