Foot & Ankle
Bunion & Hammertoe Correction
Bunion and hammertoe surgery straightens painful, misshapen toes using small incisions and modern fixation. Most patients walk out of the surgery center the same day in a protective shoe and return to regular shoes within weeks.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
45 to 90 minutes
Anesthesia
Sedation with ankle block
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
A bunion is a shift of the entire first metatarsal, not just a bump. Correction realigns the bone and stabilizes it with low-profile screws or plates.
Hammertoes are straightened at the same visit when present, restoring a comfortable toe box and even weight distribution.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Pain in regular shoes despite wider footwear and pads
- Progressive drift of the great toe
- Overlapping or rigid lesser toes
- Calluses from abnormal pressure
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Realignment
The bone is cut precisely and rotated back into anatomic position through a small incision.
Fixation
Screws or a plate hold the correction so early protected walking is possible.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Walk in a surgical shoe from day one in most cases. Elevate for the first 72 hours.
Regular shoes at four to six weeks, full activity around three months as swelling resolves.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Will the bunion come back?
Recurrence is uncommon when the deformity is corrected in all three planes and fixation is stable.
Can both feet be done at once?
Usually we stage them so you stay independent during recovery.
Is bunion and hammertoe correction done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
