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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Bunionette surgery

by Laurie
(Florida)

I have a bunionette and have tried every conservative treatment available without success and have scheduled surgery for next week. My question is the doctor wants to do an osteotomy and remove the bone but not put it in any hardware. He said that the tendon will still be intact and hold the toe in place and it won't be floppy but it will be a little loose?Is it common to do this surgery without the use of hardware? I am concerned about a loose toe?

RESPONSE

Hi Laurie,

There are osteotomies that are performed without fixation. The bone cuts are made in such a manner that the two ends of the "broken" bone are wedged into each other, to keep them together.

I am not as worried about your fifth toe moving around as I am about the osteotomy actually healing.

I can't be of much more help here simply because I do not know exactly what kind of procedure he is contemplating, nor do I have the luxury of seeing x-rays or actually being able to examine you.

The good news is that it sounds like you have exhausted all conservative options, so surgery appears to be the way to go.

My best advice for you would be to get a second opinion from another local foot surgeon. If push comes to shove and you are uncomfortable about what is proposed for your foot, cancel your surgery.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

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Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

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location unknown

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