Bunion Surgery In Singapore
Are you struggling with a painful, protruding bump at the base of your big toe? This common foot condition is known as a bunion and it can worsen over time if left untreated. Dr Yung offers effective and advanced bunion surgery in Singapore, including minimally invasive options designed for faster recovery and less postoperative pain.
What Are Bunions?
Bunions (hallux valgus) are bony protrusions of the “knuckle bone” that develop on the base of the big toe (metatarsal bone). They can cause discomfort, pain, and affect one’s mobility if left untreated.
As this condition can worsen over time, it is key that patients see an orthopaedic specialist for targeted and early treatment. At SW Yung Orthopaedic Clinic in Singapore, we offer comprehensive treatment options for bunions, including bunion surgery.
What Causes Bunions?
While the exact cause of bunions is not fully understood, several factors are believed to contribute to their development and progression. These factors include both inherited traits and lifestyle choices:
Abnormal foot structure
People who are born with certain structural foot abnormalities—such as having unusually long or flexible ligaments, an unstable arch, or an abnormally shaped metatarsal bone—are more likely to develop bunions over time.
Genetics and family history
Bunions often run in families. If your parents or grandparents had bunions, you may be genetically predisposed to developing them as well.
Rheumatic and inflammatory conditions
Individuals with rheumatic arthritis or other inflammatory joint conditions are at higher risk, as chronic inflammation can weaken the joints and soft tissues around the big toe.
Overpronation and flat feet
People with overpronation and flat feet may place uneven pressure on the big toe joint, increasing the likelihood of bunion formation.
Improper footwear
Wearing shoes that are too tight, narrow, or have high heels forces the toes into an unnatural position, placing stress on the big toe joint. Over time, this can accelerate the development of bunions.
Other contributing factors
Previous foot injuries, neuromuscular conditions, and occupations that involve prolonged standing or walking may also increase the risk.
When these factors combine, they can gradually lead to misalignment of the big toe, pushing it toward the second toe. This shift creates a bony bump at the base of the toe joint, often causing:
- Pain and tenderness
- Swelling and redness around the joint
- Stiffness and reduced mobility
- Corns or calluses where the toes rub together
Additionally, people with bunions are more prone to secondary toe deformities such as hammertoes, which further contribute to discomfort and difficulty finding fitting shoes.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Bunions?
Bunions can develop gradually and their symptoms often worsen over time if left untreated. Some people may experience only mild discomfort at first, while others may notice more noticeable changes in the shape and function of their foot. Common signs and symptoms include:
A visible bump at the base of the big toe
The most obvious sign of a bunion is the bony lump on the side of the foot, near the joint of the big toe. This bump may become more prominent as the condition progresses.
Pain, swelling, and tenderness
The area around the bunion often becomes painful and inflamed, especially after long periods of standing or walking. Redness and warmth may also be present due to irritation of the joint.
Stiffness and reduced movement
The big toe joint can feel stiff or difficult to move, particularly when trying to bend the toe upward. This stiffness may worsen over time, making it harder to walk comfortably.
Big toe drifting out of alignment
As the bunion develops, the big toe may gradually angle toward the second toe. In more advanced cases, it can overlap or push against the second toe, leading to crowding and further discomfort.
Corns and calluses
Misalignment of the toes often causes friction between them or against footwear. This repeated rubbing can lead to corns or calluses, which may be painful and make walking difficult.
Shoe-fitting difficulties
Many people with bunions find it hard to wear regular shoes, especially narrow or pointed ones, because of the protrusion and tenderness at the joint.
Changes in walking pattern (gait)
In severe cases, bunions can alter the way a person walks, as they may unconsciously shift their weight to avoid pressure on the painful joint.
It’s important to note that not everyone with a bunion experiences pain. Some people may only notice the change in appearance, while others have significant discomfort that affects daily activities.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery in Singapore
In recent years, minimally invasive bunion surgery (MIS) has become a preferred option for many eligible patients because it offers effective correction with smaller incisions and faster recovery.
How It Works
Minimally invasive bunion surgery involves making tiny incisions around the affected joint instead of a large open cut. Using specialized instruments and imaging guidance, the surgeon realigns the bones of the big toe, corrects the deformity and stabilizes the joint with small screws or pins.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
- Smaller incisions with minimal scarring
- Less soft tissue damage compared to traditional open surgery
- Reduced postoperative pain and swelling
- Faster return to daily activities and work
- Shorter recovery time and improved mobility
- Lower risk of wound complications
Who Is a Candidate?
Not all bunions require surgery and not every patient is suitable for a minimally invasive approach. This procedure is typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate bunion deformities who have persistent symptoms despite non-surgical management. A thorough assessment by a bunion specialist in Singapore is needed to determine suitability.
Recovery After Surgery
Most patients can walk on the same day of surgery with the help of a special post-operative shoe. Recovery times vary, but many people return to normal activities within a few weeks, with full recovery taking several months. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and ensure the bones remain properly aligned.
How Are Bunions Diagnosed?
A physical examination is usually all that’s needed to diagnose a patient with bunions. This includes:
- Inspecting the Foot: The doctor will visually examine your foot to look for a visible bump at the base of the big toe.
- Assessing Toe Alignment: The doctor will check how your toes align when you stand and walk.
- Assessing Range of Motion: The doctor may assess the range of motion of your big toe and the joint affected by the bunion.
- Palpation: The doctor will gently touch the bunion and its surrounding area to assess for tenderness, inflammation, or warmth.
- Imaging Tests: In some cases, X-rays may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the bunion.
What Happens if Bunions are Left Untreated?
- It may cause increased pain: Without intervention, bunions can cause worsening pain and discomfort, especially when walking or running.
- It can lead to further bone deformity: The bony protrusion at the base of the big toe may continue to grow larger, causing the toe to shift further out of alignment.
- It can reduce a person’s mobility: Severe bunions can restrict movement and flexibility in the affected toe joint. This limitation can affect one’s overall mobility.
- It can lead to secondary issues: Bunions can contribute to the development of other foot conditions, such as hammertoes or bursitis.
- It can cause joint strain: The misalignment caused by bunions can place added stress on surrounding joints, including the knees, hips, and lower back.
- It may lead to skin problems: Pressure from ill-fitting shoes or the bunion itself can cause the skin over the bunion to become irritated, leading to the formation of calluses or corns.
How are Bunions Treated?
Once your doctor has evaluated your foot deformity, a treatment plan can be developed. Treatment options will depend on the type and severity of the condition, and can range from non-surgical to surgical.
Non-Surgical Options
Although non-surgical treatment does not address the underlying cause, it can help to slow the progression of bunions, as well as alleviate pain.
- Orthotics: These are specialised devices inserted into shoes to provide support and control abnormal foot movements.
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medication: These help to temporarily reduce pain and inflammation in the affected areas.
- Changing Footwear: Wearing shoes or sandals that fit properly with a wide or open-toe box that does not compress the toes can manage the pain.
Bunion Surgery
Surgical treatment for bunions, known as bunionectomy, may be recommended when non-surgical methods fail to alleviate symptoms or when the bunion is already causing severe pain, deformity, or difficulty in walking. This includes:
- Osteotomy: This procedure involves cutting and realigning the bone at the base of the big toe joint. The surgeon may remove a portion of the bunion or realign the bones to correct the deformity.
- Exostectomy: This procedure involves removing the bony bump from the joint of the big toe. It may be combined with soft tissue correction to alleviate pressure and improve toe alignment.
- Soft Tissue Repair: This is done when the orthopaedic surgeon sees that there is a need to repair or tighten the soft tissues around the big toe joint. Usually, soft tissue correction is just one part of the entire bunion correction procedure.
- Arthrodesis: In cases of severe arthritis or joint damage associated with bunions, the surgeon may recommend arthrodesis (joint fusion). This involves removing damaged joint surfaces and then fusing the bones together to create a stable joint.
Schedule a consultation with us at 62355225 today.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After a bunion surgery, patients typically wear a surgical shoe or boot and may use crutches temporarily to keep weight off the foot. Physiotherapy will be recommended to regain full strength and range of motion in the toe joint. Full recovery can take several weeks to months, depending on the type of surgery and individual healing.
Article reproduced with permission from Jo K.Original post https://thouartwell.substack.com
Read more about a patient’s bunion journey and how her problem was finally resolved after seeing Dr Yung.
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Bunion Surgeon in Singapore
Dr Yung Shing Wai
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Singapore)
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Fellow of the Academy of Medicine (Singapore)
- Subspecialty Fellowship in Foot & Ankle Surgery and Shoulder Surgery (Seattle, USA)
Dr Yung Shing Wai is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a strong and pioneering focus on bunion (hallux valgus) correction. He was also the founding Director of the Foot & Ankle Service at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Singapore General Hospital.
With over 30 years of experience in both open and minimally invasive bunion surgery, Dr Yung offers personalised treatments designed to relieve pain, correct deformities, and restore natural foot function.
He is known for adopting a patient-first approach and to help patients walk comfortably again with minimal downtime and long-term results.
