Arthritis of the big toe joint is prevalent among individuals over 50. Contributing factors include wearing excessively tight shoes and having flat feet, which can exacerbate the development of a bunion or arthritic joint.

While pads, splints, foot orthoses, and special shoes can offer comfort, they do not provide a cure for arthritis. Painkillers may help alleviate joint pain. If discomfort persists despite these measures, surgery is often recommended.

Bunions often run in families and are more prevalent in females. Wearing tight shoes or having flat feet can also contribute to their development.

Padding, splints, foot orthoses, and special shoes can provide relief but typically won’t correct the toe alignment. If the bunion and discomfort persist despite these measures, surgery is usually recommended.

The procedure involves realigning the joint by creating fractures in the bone behind and sometimes in front of the joint. The bones are then adjusted to straighten the toe. Tight tissues around the joint are released, and loose tissues are tightened. This approach is suitable when there is minimal or no arthritis in the joint. The bony bump on the side of the toe is also removed. Screws are used to secure the fractured bones, which are usually left in place unless issues arise. Surgery is performed under general or local anaesthetic. Both feet can be operated on simultaneously, though this may restrict mobility for about a month after surgery. The foot will be heavily bandaged post-operation.

As with any surgery, there are risks related to anaesthesia and the procedure itself. Complications such as infection, prolonged swelling, or recurrence of the bunion can occur. Some patients may experience stiffness in the big toe or develop pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia), which often resolves over time. Full recovery of the foot typically takes about 6 months following surgery.

Usually performed as a day case, you may require an overnight hospital stay. Special shoes will be provided to wear over the bandages for walking. These shoes should be worn for 4-6 weeks, and crutches are generally not necessary.

For the first 48 hours post-surgery, rest with legs elevated and take prescribed painkillers. Perform gentle foot exercises as advised. Bandages remain in place for 2-6 weeks, with a follow-up appointment scheduled at an Orthopaedic and Fracture clinic for bandage removal. Return to work timing varies (2-8 weeks), depending on job requirements for standing or walking. Driving is permitted once out of the post-operative shoe.

Freiberg’s disease typically occurs during puberty’s growth spurt, most commonly affecting young females. It’s more prevalent in individuals whose second metatarsal bears excessive weight due to a shorter first metatarsal. The condition involves microfractures at the growth plate, leading to avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head. While the second metatarsal is most often affected, the third may also be involved, with the fourth or fifth metatarsals rarely affected.

Pads, splints, foot orthoses, and special shoes can offer comfort but don’t resolve the arthritis. Supportive footwear with a metatarsal bar or pad beneath the affected bone can help, along with reduced weight-bearing activities and pain medication. Cortisone injections may be considered. If symptoms persist despite these measures, surgery is typically recommended, especially if conservative treatments fail.

Surgical options include debridement, bone grafting, osteotomy (controlled bone fracture), arthroplasty, or osteochondral transplantation. These procedures aim to alleviate pain and restore function. Surgery is usually performed under anaesthesia, and recovery involves wearing special shoes for 4-6 weeks.

As with any surgery, risks include infection, prolonged swelling, residual pain, and the possibility of needing additional procedures if joint fusion is incomplete.

Most surgeries are day cases, possibly requiring an overnight stay. Special shoes are provided for post-operative use, worn during walking for 4-6 weeks. Crutches are generally unnecessary. Full recovery typically takes about 6 months, during which patients are advised to rest with elevated legs, perform prescribed foot exercises, and attend follow-up appointments to monitor healing and remove bandages.

Rest with elevated legs and pain management for the first 48 hours are essential. Foot exercises are recommended during this period. Bandages remain in place for 2-6 weeks, after which a follow-up Outpatients appointment is scheduled for bandage removal. Return to work timing varies (2-8 weeks), depending on job requirements for standing or walking. Driving is permitted once out of the post-operative shoe.

Toe buckling, often characterized by clawing or hammering, is common and can result from various factors. These include the presence of bunions, flat feet, excessively long toes, or wearing poorly fitting shoes. Nerve problems can also contribute to toe deformities.

Pads, splints, foot orthoses, and special shoes can provide comfort but typically do not straighten the toe permanently. If discomfort persists despite these conservative measures, surgery is often recommended.

Surgical options aim to correct toe alignment and alleviate discomfort. Procedures may involve releasing tight tendons, straightening the toe bones, or removing bony prominences like bunions. Surgery is usually performed under anaesthesia, and recovery may involve wearing special shoes or splints temporarily.

As with any surgery, risks include infection, nerve injury, or recurrence of deformities. Post-operative swelling and discomfort are common but usually resolve with time.

Most surgeries are performed on a day-case basis, with some requiring overnight hospital stays. Special shoes or splints may be provided post-surgery to support the healing process and maintain toe alignment. Resting with elevated legs and pain management are crucial in the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments will monitor healing progress and address any concerns.

After surgery, rest with elevated legs and prescribed pain relief are essential for the first few days. You’ll be advised on foot exercises to promote recovery. Bandages or dressings may need to be kept dry and intact until the follow-up appointment. Return to work timing varies based on individual healing progress and job requirements. Driving is typically allowed once you’re comfortable wearing regular shoes again post-surgery.

Tailors’ bunions are often hereditary and more prevalent in females. Wearing shoes that are too narrow for your foot width may also contribute to the development of a Tailors’ bunion.

Pads, splints, foot orthoses, and special shoes can provide comfort but are unlikely to straighten the toe. If the bunion and little toe remain uncomfortable despite these measures, surgery is typically recommended.

The operation includes breaking a bone just behind the little toe and repositioning it to straighten the toe. Loose tissues around the joint are tightened, and the bony bump on the side of the toe is removed. A screw(s) is used to hold the fractured bone in place, which is usually not removed unless issues arise. The surgery is performed under general or local anaesthetic. Both feet can be operated on simultaneously if necessary, but this restricts mobility during the initial month post-surgery. The foot will be heavily bandaged after the operation.

Like all surgeries, there are risks associated with anaesthesia and surgery itself. Complications such as infection, prolonged swelling, or recurrence of the condition may occur. It typically takes about 6 months for the foot to fully recover after surgery.

The procedure is usually performed as a day case, though an overnight stay may be necessary. You will be provided with special shoes to wear over your bandages, which must be worn whenever you walk. These shoes are worn for 4-6 weeks, and crutches are generally unnecessary.

During the first 48 hours, rest in bed with legs elevated and take prescribed painkillers. You will be instructed to perform foot exercises during this time. Bandages remain on for 2-6 weeks until your Orthopaedic and Fracture clinic appointment to have them removed. Depending on your job’s demands for standing or walking, you can return to work within 2-6 weeks after the operation. Driving is advisable only after removing the post-operative shoe.