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Original poster

Bunion Keyhole surgery

77 replies

deesdeli · 04/01/2023 10:22

I am thinking of doing this as my bunions have got bigger over the years. I am in no pain at all - however I would like to get them corrected as I really dislike this part of my body and do not want them to get worse.
I want to get my right foot done first as it is the worse of the two and if that all goes well I will get the left foot done.
I have never had any surgery like this before and I am scared!
Has anyone had this done?
How did you find the whole experience?

I would like to hear the good, bad and ugly!

OP posts:
sm40 · 23/03/2023 08:07

They've hurt in the past but I think with lockdown and the trainer trend they are ok at the moment. I have been to see the doctors about them before when they were agony. Are there long term issues I should be aware of? Would rather get it sorted now if better in the long run.

Handsnotwands · 23/03/2023 08:16

I’m REALLY squeamish and when my mother had her bunion done the traditional way she had a pin sticking out the end of her toe while it healed. I just can’t. Do you have this with the keyhole surgery?

Travelban · 23/03/2023 08:56

I haven't had anything stick out and I have a few friends who had the traditional surgery but didn't have that either. It sounds like a surgery gone wrong...!!!

Travelban · 23/03/2023 10:38

sm40 · 23/03/2023 08:07

They've hurt in the past but I think with lockdown and the trainer trend they are ok at the moment. I have been to see the doctors about them before when they were agony. Are there long term issues I should be aware of? Would rather get it sorted now if better in the long run.

I think it's individual case by case. For me for example they didn't look bad at all but they hurt with pretty much all shoes, including trainers. Also for me I noticed when walking I was curling my toe and this was due to loss of balance. I do have very small feet and the toe looked quite short and he also lengthened as well as straightened the bone which will improve stability.

But I know people with very severe looking bunions who have no pain and no trouble at all, so then its more around shoe fitting and even then you can work around that.

Having said that, surgery is still an unknown to an extent and it is a long recovery. Although I am walking now after 7 weeks I still can't go for a proper walk as foot gets tired and ache and I hobble quite a bit. Surgeon thinks it's normal and just need to be patient. It's probably more like 3 months to go back to normal I reckon.

FixTheBone · 23/03/2023 10:46

Travelban · 23/03/2023 08:56

I haven't had anything stick out and I have a few friends who had the traditional surgery but didn't have that either. It sounds like a surgery gone wrong...!!!

No, pretty normal if one of the lesser toes is being corrected...

Im a foot and ankle surgeon. I wouldn't touch painless bunions on the NHS, or, privately. If anything at all goes wrong, you're liable to be significantly and irreversibly worse than before the operation.

There's also extremely high rates of overall disatisfaction amongst patients having them done for cosmetic reasons alone.

Abracadabra12345 · 23/03/2023 11:04

Thank you, that's very interesting to know. I have horrible ugly feet with severe bunions which cause no pain at all unless I wear poor fitting shoes. I find mesh shoes a game changer. I've always said how I should look at surgery and how they will only get worse so I find your comments interesting

Handsnotwands · 23/03/2023 19:40

FixTheBone · 23/03/2023 10:46

No, pretty normal if one of the lesser toes is being corrected...

Im a foot and ankle surgeon. I wouldn't touch painless bunions on the NHS, or, privately. If anything at all goes wrong, you're liable to be significantly and irreversibly worse than before the operation.

There's also extremely high rates of overall disatisfaction amongst patients having them done for cosmetic reasons alone.

Show quote history

Yes actually I think it was the toe next to the big toe which was kinda crossing over 🤮 so I guess it was go straighten that one 🤢. I didn’t look closely nor discuss it nor think about it anymore than I had to

i have inherited her damn bunions and as a 6 footer I have never even worn heels. So unfair.

Original poster
deesdeli · 17/07/2023 15:14

@Travelban - hey I just wanted to know how you are getting on as it has been a few months since you had this done?

I am still thinking about getting this done but am still a little apprehensive...

OP posts:
Travelban · 17/07/2023 17:18

deesdeli · 17/07/2023 15:14

@Travelban - hey I just wanted to know how you are getting on as it has been a few months since you had this done?

I am still thinking about getting this done but am still a little apprehensive...

Hi, I am getting on very well, foot is pretty much back to normal and I can do everything I did before, including bending long walks, etc.. the surgeon was very happy with the end result and so am I!!

Original poster
deesdeli · 17/07/2023 17:36

@Travelban Ah amazing! Thanks for responding. I am sure it will help other thinking of doing this. So happy it has gone well for you. I shall be booking this soon!

OP posts:
Darklane · 18/07/2023 16:59

The pin is to straighten a hammer toe which quite often happens with the toe next to the big toe with the deformity. I had that. Both bunions done & hammer toe correction, not keyhole as several years ago now.
Not a complete success. The one that had the worst bunion looks fine now, perfectly straight but it’s stiff so can hurt a bit if trying to stand on tip toe or wear heels. The second one I had done, which wasn’t as bad, isn’t stiff & never hurts & is more flexible but it has begun to turn in again & is pushing the next toe over now which never happened with the bunion. It took around six weeks to recover, no weight bearing for the first two weeks then a surgical shoe & crutches for the next four.

Darklane · 18/07/2023 17:05

Just to add it was all fine at first & the surgeon was pleased with it, it was only about two years later that the big toe began to go over again. Had it done in a private hospital.

Original poster
deesdeli · 18/07/2023 20:04

@Darklane thank you do you have any regrets doing this?

OP posts:
sweatybettii · 18/07/2023 20:30

LadyOfTheCanyon · 06/01/2023 12:33

Jesus Christ I havent got my glasses on and thought it said bumhole key surgery.

Sorry OP. As you were.

Me too 😆😆

Skinnyday · 27/02/2024 21:52

Hi @Travelban, please could you kindly let me know the name of your surgeon and if you would recommend them, understand this is from your personal experience. I would very much like keyhole surgery thank you xx

Kittytraveller · 23/03/2024 10:32

Hi @Travelban who was your surgeon please?

Travelban · 23/03/2024 13:41

Hi all, sorry for the late reply, my surgeon was Simon Budgen.

It's been over a year now and I have no symptoms at all, I can do Yoga, running, walking, gym, wear heels etc

Scarring is minimal! So glad I got it done...

Jesmy · 12/04/2024 13:09

Hello. I have literally just had this done with David Gordon on Monday. I have been suffering and putting it off for years (Now aged 47) But felt it was getting worse and did not want to end up being an old lady with a totally deformed foot! I am so far SO SO pleased that I did. I cant see it yet as bandaged up but I am in no pain at all. Stopped all pain relief on day 4. The hardest part is staying laid down to keep the foot raised for 23 hours out of every day! Just wanted to post as saw your were considering Mr Gordon. I also had a consultation with Mr Bianchi and did not get a good vibe what so ever. Mr Gordon is very professional and so far, everything has gone seamlessly. Dont put it off if its playing on your mind! Just get it done!!! xx

PS: I wanted to add that I am the biggest baby out there when it comes to anything medical. Literally was crying when I went in to be sedated. I really should not have worried! They were all so lovely! I had a total foot block and DEEP SEDATION. And it was as good as having a general but without the after effects!!. I woke up and was in no pain. I walked out of the hospital weight bearing with crutches. Day 2, the pain block wore off but was completely managed by the drugs. I had to cut back the pain rellief as reaslised they were making me feel a llittle sick but when I did, I realised that actually there was no pain!!! I can keep you posted on my progress if you like xx

Jesmy · 12/04/2024 13:28

Just thought would add picture of my bunion before surgery and as it is now all bandaged up!

Kittytraveller · 12/04/2024 16:16

@Jesmy thanks for your report. I am seeing Kaser Nazir for a consultation in Harley Street on 9th May he does keyhole bunion surgery. So far my private healthcare are happy to cover the consultation with Kaser as he is one of their registered surgeons, lets hope they cover the operation! OMG so want to get it done. https://www.instagram.com/footsurgeonlondon/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/footsurgeonlondon

Original poster
deesdeli · 12/04/2024 16:42

@Jesmy Thank you for your post!! I am sure it will help many out there.
Please please do keep us updated as it is one of those things I have been meaning to get done for ages but am a real wuss when it comes to pain.

OP posts:
Shilpasp · 30/04/2024 16:09

I would be interested in either of those two drs

Shilpasp · 30/04/2024 16:12

Did you have pins inserted

Shilpasp · 30/04/2024 16:14

Dr David uses pins and dr Bianchi doesn’t so who would be the best bet to treat the bunions

Shilpasp · 30/04/2024 16:15

Pls do as I’m thinking of doing mine with dr Gordon