Why I Want Bunion Surgery-the Patient's Preoperative and Postoperative Perspective

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Podiatry
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Hallux valgus, a common foot pathology, often requires surgical intervention for symptomatic individuals unresponsive to conservative treatments.
• Understanding patient motivations is crucial for optimizing surgical decision-making and patient satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare patient-reported reasons for undergoing hallux valgus corrective surgery.
• To evaluate these reasons in both preoperative and postoperative patient cohorts to identify potential shifts in priorities.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 101 patients (5 males, 96 females; average age 50.6 years) undergoing or planning hallux valgus surgery.
• Patients ranked 14 potential reasons for surgery using a questionnaire, divided into preoperative (n=51) and postoperative (n=50) groups to mitigate bias.

Main Results:

• The primary drivers for surgery in both groups were pain-free movement, bunion pain elimination, and the ability to walk long distances over varied terrain without discomfort.
• Pain was the highest-rated category, followed by function, in both cohorts. Shoe wear importance increased in the postoperative group compared to appearance, unlike the preoperative group.
• Least important factors included reducing orthotic need, achieving a narrower foot, and wearing high heels.

Conclusions:

• Pain and functional improvement are the paramount reasons for pursuing hallux valgus surgery, consistently reported by both preoperative and postoperative patients.
• A notable difference emerged in the emphasis on appearance versus shoe wear, with preoperative patients prioritizing aesthetics more than those who had already undergone surgery.