Is it time? Which procedures to explore?
Hi all, 37F with bunion that presented around age 19. This image is from about 1-2 years ago so it has probably progressed a bit since then.
I have done toe spacers (*love* happy feet socks), toe socks (AMAZING), PT, orthotics (the most useless), wide shoes, the works, but it continues to progress every few months. The pain is low grade but present the majority of the time at the joint itself and extends back along the arch to the heel. I supinate to avoid putting pressure unless I am actively thinking about it and often shift weight off my right foot. Crossover rarely occurs despite the image.
My self-talk is often "it just hurts and nothing is actually wrong" which I realize is... crazy. Fall/winter is approaching which means out of Birkenstocks and back into socks which really sucks for me.
I spoke with a surgeon a couple of years ago who sold lapiplasty so hard that I got turned off, he felt like a salesman. I am aware that the surgical options (lapiplasty included) can be rife with complications and he implied there were none and I'd be full activity by 3 months.
My questions:
- Is it time to explore surgery? What happens if I don't besides pain, which is tolerable but persistent?
- What procedures should I consider?
- I see conversation about orthopedist vs podiatrist, what are the pros and cons of each?
Thanks everyone.
Edit - clarified my language around potential complications in surgery