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What’s red and painful, makes walking difficult and impacts 1 out of every 3 people over the age of 65?1 Bunions.
A bunion, also known as a hallux valgus, is a bony growth on the side of the big toe joint that forms when one of the toe joints moves out of alignment. Bunions afflict more women than men and seem to have a genetic component — about 70% of those who develop a bunion have a family history of them. Bunions can also develop due to regular use of tight, confining shoes.2
Although bunions can start small, they generally get larger and more uncomfortable over time. Luckily, bunion surgery can help correct and address painful bunions.2
What Is Bunion Surgery?
Bunion surgery is a procedure to correct the toe deformity and pain caused by a bunion. The type of bunion surgery required will be determined by the severity of the bunion, which can range from mild or moderate to severe or arthritic.3
Based on the type of bunion you have, your doctor can recommend next steps tailored to your needs. The discomfort from mild bunions may be temporarily alleviated by wearing comfortable, nonconstricting shoes while more moderate and severe bunions may benefit from surgical treatment.3
Types of Bunion Surgery
Based on the type and severity of the bunion, your doctor may recommend one of these three types of bunion surgery:4
- Bunion exostectomy: This procedure removes the protruding part of the bone but does not alter the toe joint. Since this technique does not address the underlying cause of the bunion, it is rarely used on its own.
- Bunion osteotomy: During an osteotomy procedure, a doctor makes small incisions in the toe to realign the toe joint, using screws, pins or plates to hold the adjusted joint in place. Repairs of the ligaments, tendons and muscles are also often performed.
- Bunion arthrodesis: If bunions are a result of arthritis, an arthrodesis procedure completely replaces the damaged toe joint. This may also be used for bunion patients who have had unsuccessful results with other bunion surgery methods.
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How Much Does Bunion Surgery Cost?
The average cost* of bunion surgery can vary based on the type of procedure:5
| Type of bunion surgery | Average cost | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Osteotomy | $2,078 | $1,600 to $3,880 |
| Exostectomy | $8,062 | $6,228 to $15,881 |
| Arthrodesis | $8,510 | $6,560 to $16,728 |
The cost of bunion surgery can be impacted by the surgeon’s experience, facility fees, post-surgery care and anesthesia type, as well as geographic area.5
Bunion surgery cost by geographic location
The cost* of bunion surgery can vary depending on where you live.5
| State/District | Osteotomy | Exostectomy | Arthrodesis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,722 | $7,110 | $7,243 |
| Alaska | $2,542 | $9,809 | $10,305 |
| Arizona | $2,104 | $8,131 | $8,510 |
| Arkansas | $1,789 | $7,093 | $7,371 |
| California | $2,587 | $10,103 | $10,365 |
| Colorado | $2,102 | $8,174 | $8,646 |
| Connecticut | $2,216 | $8,261 | $8,829 |
| Delaware | $2,069 | $8,070 | $8,482 |
| District of Columbia | $2,696 | $9,584 | $10,214 |
| Florida | $2,073 | $8,076 | $8,425 |
| Georgia | $1,867 | $7,353 | $7,626 |
| Hawaii | $3,202 | $11,764 | $13,958 |
| Idaho | $2,120 | $8,218 | $8,683 |
| Illinois | $2,144 | $7,906 | $8,255 |
| Indiana | $1,851 | $7,171 | $7,635 |
| Iowa | $1,836 | $7,188 | $7,334 |
| Kansas | $1,864 | $7,154 | $7,653 |
| Kentucky | $1,873 | $7,378 | $7,890 |
| Louisiana | $1,951 | $7,387 | $8,009 |
| Maine | $2,044 | $8,330 | $8,674 |
| Maryland | $2,398 | $8,961 | $9,576 |
| Massachusetts | $2,309 | $10,017 | $10,232 |
| Michigan | $1,907 | $7,301 | $7,754 |
| Minnesota | $1,927 | $7,673 | $7,918 |
| Mississippi | $1,800 | $6,816 | $7,289 |
| Missouri | $1,878 | $7,084 | $7,489 |
| Montana | $2,038 | $7,932 | $8,328 |
| Nebraska | $1,847 | $7,223 | $7,635 |
| Nevada | $2,096 | $8,114 | $8,528 |
| New Hampshire | $2,151 | $8,538 | $8,892 |
| New Jersey | $2,311 | $8,858 | $9,749 |
| New Mexico | $1,884 | $7,154 | $7,690 |
| New York | $2,289 | $8,806 | $9,403 |
| North Carolina | $1,916 | $7,543 | $7,899 |
| North Dakota | $1,900 | $7,396 | $7,790 |
| Ohio | $1,922 | $7,378 | $7,772 |
| Oklahoma | $1,818 | $6,955 | $7,316 |
| Oregon | $2,238 | $8,693 | $9,257 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,004 | $7,846 | $8,318 |
| Rhode Island | $2,204 | $8,278 | $8,956 |
| South Carolina | $1,882 | $7,595 | $7,908 |
| South Dakota | $1,862 | $7,292 | $7,562 |
| Tennessee | $1,858 | $7,197 | $7,662 |
| Texas | $1,928 | $7,485 | $7,851 |
| Utah | $2,109 | $7,932 | $8,583 |
| Vermont | $2,140 | $8,451 | $8,911 |
| Virginia | $2,020 | $7,846 | $8,309 |
| Washington | $2,307 | $9,039 | $9,658 |
| West Virginia | $1,856 | $7,413 | $7,754 |
| Wisconsin | $1,929 | $7,517 | $7,918 |
| Wyoming | $1,873 | $7,612 | $7,790 |
Is Bunion Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Bunions that are painful and inhibit your daily activities may be deemed medically necessary to treat. Since bunion surgery is considered a medical procedure, not a cosmetic one, many health insurance policies may cover part or all of the cost of the procedure.6
Be sure to check with your insurance provider to determine the needed steps to qualify for coverage and find providers in your network.
Good Candidates for Bunion Surgery
If your bunion is not causing pain or discomfort, surgery may not be required. However, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, bunion surgery may offer relief:7
- Severe foot pain that impacts everyday activities
- Chronic toe inflammation
- Toe deformity
- Toe stiffness
Talk with your doctor to determine whether non-surgical treatments or bunion surgery will be the best option for your feet.
How Does Bunion Surgery Work?
Here’s what you can expect if you are considering bunion surgery.
Preparation
Before bunion surgery, you’ll need to prepare for the procedure, which may include:3
- Pre-op consultations
- A review of your medical history
- Fasting for eight hours before the surgery
Procedure
Before the procedure, patients will be given general or local anesthesia. Then, based on the type of bunion surgery you are having, the surgeon will use small incisions to remove bone, reposition the joint and/or adjust any soft tissue in the surrounding area. Stitches will be used to close the incisions and the foot will be wrapped with bandages.3
Tips to Recover From Bunion Surgery
After bunion surgery, you will stay in an observation room until the anesthesia wears off and your vitals are back to normal. Depending on the procedure, some patients may be given a special shoe or padded boot to wear to protect the foot while it heals. Since anesthesia is used for the procedure, someone should drive you home from the appointment.3
To help aid in recovery from bunion surgery, post-op patients should:3
- Keep the foot elevated
- Apply ice to the area to reduce swelling
- Limit walking
- Take pain medication as directed by your surgeon
Some patients may benefit from a cane, walker or knee scooter to help mobility during recovery. After about two weeks, stitches will be removed.3
The impacted foot can often need the support of a boot or brace for six to eight weeks after surgery, which can affect your ability to drive and general mobility. Your doctor will let you know when exercise or physical therapy may be recommended to help increase strength and range of motion.3
Potential Side Effects of Bunion Surgery
As with other surgical procedures, bunion surgery can include potential complications, such as:3
- Infection
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Numbness
- Nerve damage
- Continued pain
Talk with your doctor about steps you can take to minimize complications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bunion Surgery
Do you still have questions about bunion surgery? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card
If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.
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