Bunion surgery in Grand Cayman
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe. It happens when the big toe drifts towards the smaller toes. For some people it’s just a nuisance. For others it makes shoes painful, rubs, or slowly gets worse until walking becomes uncomfortable.
Bunions often run in families, and they’re much more common in women. Tight or pointed shoes don’t usually cause them, but they can make them a lot more painful. In the Cayman heat, many people spend most of the year in sandals and flip-flops, which can make the joint ache and let the toes drift further.
When is surgery worth considering?
Wider shoes, padding and insoles can help with symptoms, but they don’t straighten the toe. Surgery is worth talking about if:
- the bunion is painful most days, or aches after walking
- it’s stopping you doing things you enjoy, like walking, running, golf or dancing
- you’re struggling to find shoes that fit
- the big toe is pushing your other toes out of shape, or you’re getting pain under the ball of the foot
I don’t recommend surgery for a bunion that isn’t bothering you. If yours isn’t painful, I’ll tell you so, and we can talk about simple ways to keep it comfortable.
Minimally invasive (keyhole) bunion surgery
I correct bunions through a few very small incisions rather than one long cut. Using specialist instruments and live X-ray, the bone is realigned and held with small screws. Most people walk out the same day in a special post-operative shoe.
I’ve done more than 1,200 of these operations, and I do it in the same way in Grand Cayman as I do on Harley Street.
Why keyhole rather than traditional open surgery?
- Smaller scars. A few tiny incisions instead of a long cut along the side of the foot.
- Walking straight away. Most people walk in a surgical shoe from the day of the operation, without crutches for long.
- Usually less pain and swelling early on, because there’s less disturbance to the soft tissues.
- Day case. You go home the same day.
Keyhole surgery suits most bunions, including many large ones, but not every foot. If another approach would give you a better result, I’ll explain why.
Before and after
Two of my patients, photographed before surgery and again once they’d healed. Shared with their permission.
Results vary from person to person.
Your operation day at NovoClinic
- You’ll come in on the morning of your operation, and I’ll see you beforehand to go over everything and mark your foot.
- The operation is usually done with your foot numbed by a local anaesthetic block, often with sedation so you’re relaxed.
- Your foot is dressed and you’re fitted with a post-operative shoe.
- Once you’re comfortable and walking, you go home the same day. You’ll need someone to drive you.
What recovery usually looks like
- First two weeks: walking short distances in the surgical shoe, with your foot up as much as possible. NovoClinic’s nurses check your wound and change your dressings.
- Two to six weeks: gradually walking further in the surgical shoe. I’ll review you by video call, and in person if I’m on the island.
- Around six weeks: most people are back in a wide, comfortable shoe.
- Three to six months: swelling settles gradually, and most people are back to sport and normal footwear.
Everyone’s recovery is a little different, and I’ll talk you through what to expect for your foot at your consultation. You can read more about your care after surgery.
Risks
Most people do very well, but every operation carries some risk. With bunion surgery these include infection, prolonged swelling or stiffness, numbness around the scars, irritation from a screw (which can be removed later if needed), the bunion coming back, and, rarely, a blood clot in the leg. I’ll go through these properly with you, and how we keep them as low as possible, before you decide.
Common questions
Can I have both feet done at the same time?
Sometimes, yes. Because keyhole surgery lets you walk straight away, some people choose to have both feet done together. It does make the first couple of weeks harder, so we’ll talk about whether it suits your work and home life.
When can I drive?
If your left foot is operated on and you drive an automatic, you may be able to drive within a couple of weeks. After right foot surgery, it’s usually around six weeks, once you can wear a normal shoe and brake safely in an emergency.
When can I go back to work?
Many people with desk jobs go back after about two weeks, especially if they can keep the foot up. Jobs where you’re on your feet all day usually need six weeks or more.
When can I swim or go in the sea?
Not until the small wounds have fully healed, which is usually a few weeks. I’ll let you know when it’s safe at your follow-up. There’s more on this in our blog.
Is it covered by insurance?
Bunion surgery is often covered when the bunion is causing pain or problems. NovoClinic can help you get pre-authorisation from your insurer, so bring your insurance details to your first appointment.
Do I need to travel to Miami or London?
No. Your consultation, operation and follow-up all happen here in Grand Cayman, with video calls in between my visits.
