[Guest]

I have a very painful bunion on the side of my big toe and also a bunionette (that does not hurt at all) on my pinky toe same foot (right foot). I went to a Podiatrist and he told me that my bunions are moderate to severe and that I need surgery to fix the problem. He told me that the bone would need to be cut, he would use screws & pins on both sides of my foot and that I would be in a full leg cast. He told me I would be out of work for a minimum of 8-12 weeks. Whenever needing surgery I always get a 2nd opinion so I went to another Podiatrist who also told me that I had a bunion on my big toe (she never addressed the one on my pinky toe). She took an x-ray and stated that my first toe was extremely seperated from my 2nd toe. I explained to her that as of a few days ago I started experiencing burning pain under my 2nd and 3rd toe when walking. I walk about 2 miles - 6 nights a week for exercise. She told me that the reason for this was because I was over compensating when I walk (applying more weight to the middle and outside of my foot) because of the pain in my big toe causing the bones of the 2nd and 3rd toe to push together, squeezing the nerve between the two toes and that is whats causing the burning under my 2nd and 3rd toe. She wants to do 3 sets of cortizone injections in my big toe and in between my 2nd and 3rd toe. She feels that I don't need surgery. She thinks the cortizone shots will cure my problem. Who should I believe or is a 3rd opinion in order???

I was also wondering if I could get some feedback from other people that have had this surgery and if the need arouse again would they do it again and why or why not??

[Guest]

In this case, you may actually need a third opinion. Cortisone injections may help sporadically but they will not cure the problem. You problably due need surgery but you should only need to be out of work for 1-2 weeks unless you bunion is extremely severe. Therefore, ask your doctor(s) what they intend to do to cure the problem. Have a nice day and please write back if you have any further questions.
[quote] I have a very painful bunion on the side of my big toe and also a bunionette (that does not hurt at all) on my pinky toe same foot (right foot). I went to a Podiatrist and he told me that my bunions are moderate to severe and that I need surgery to fix the problem... [/quote]