Oprah, having all the money in the world to buy new feet, chooses to live with bunions.
Hey, I guess if she’s ok with it, why should anybody else care.
I can’t help but wonder however, if she thought twice about using some of the same cosmetic surgeons that she was accused of referring Donda West to?
Check out an interesting story where Oprah denies recommending doctor to Kanye West’ mom and the latest where Donda West’ surgeon was arrested on DUI charges.
Anyway, back to bunions. Let’s see what the experts have to say about bunions and the risks of removing them:
WHAT IS A BUNION?
Bunions are a common problem that most people experience as a bony protuberance at the base of the big toe. A bunion, however, is more complicated than simply a bump on the foot.When a patient has a bunion, the big toe angles in towards the other toes, a condition called hallux valgus. Bunions are most common in women, and the cause is almost always due to unsuitable footwear. The word ‘bunion’ is derived from the Latin word bunio, which means turnip.
Surgical treatment of bunions and the potential complications
Surgical bunion treatment may be needed if conservative measures are not adequate to relieve a patients’ symptoms. Surgical treatment is aimed at accomplishing a few goals:
- Restoring the normal alignment and mechanics of the foot
- Removing painful prominences and preventing their recurrence
How is bunion surgery performed?
Rarely, the bunion can simply be shaved off, but usually the surgical treatment of a bunion is more extensive-otherwise the bunion will simply return over time.Bunion surgery involves breaking the toe bone 
(metatarsal) to correct the alignment. There is also a tightening of the ligaments on the outside of the toe, and a release of the ligaments on the inside, so the tension on the ligaments points the toe in the proper direction
The major drawback to bunion surgery is that you will have pain in the foot, and probably not be completely healed for about three months. The most common complication of bunion surgery is a recurrence of the bunion months or years later. That said, if bunions are causing you problems in walking, it is certainly reasonable to consider surgical bunion treatment.
Other potential complications of surgery include:
- Inadequate correction
- Overcorrection of the deformity (hallux varus — the big toe points inward)
- Nerve injury, can cause numbness of the toes
- Infection
What is the rehabilitation from bunion surgery?
The rehabilitation is relatively simple to understand, but it can be difficult to comply with. Patients must wear a special post-operative shoe to prevent pressure and forces to push on the healing bone. Most people will be on crutches, at least until the initial pain has subsided. Bunion surgery can be quite uncomfortable, and may require about 3 months or more to completely heal.Click Here to learn more about Bunions
