A bunion is a bony deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. The medical name is hallux valgus.
There are a number of treatment options for bunions. Non-surgical treatments are usually tried first, including painkillers, orthotics (insoles) and bunion pads.
However, these can only help to reduce the symptoms of bunions, such as pain. They don't improve the appearance of your foot.
Surgery may be considered if your symptoms are severe and you don't respond to non-surgical treatments.
Read the Hallux Valgus surgery checklist for more information.
To make sure that you get the best treatment for your condition your GP, hospital consultant or nurse specialist will discuss the different treatment options with you.
Some operations or treatments will only be recommended for some patients and your doctor will assess whether or not you meet the clinical conditions or criteria. Please click here to look at the criteria for Hallux Valgus surgery.
If you meet the criteria then this will be the best treatment option for you and the procedure will be arranged.
If you don’t meet the criteria then you will be offered the most effective treatment for your particular condition.
If you don’t qualify for the treatment, but your doctor or nurse thinks that there are exceptional clinical circumstances in your case then they may submit an Individual Funding Request (IFR) to an independent panel for consideration.
The IFR panel meets weekly and aims to consider cases within 14days. The panel’s decision will be communicated to you by letter if you are an adult or by letter to your GP if you are the guardian of a child applying for funding.
If your IFR application is rejected (meaning that your surgery will not be funded by the NHS), then you or your GP has the right to appeal to the IFR panel against this decision within 90days. The panel is independent to your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The Get Fit First policy also applies to this intervention. For further information please see the Get Fit First page.
To make sure that you get the best treatment for your condition your GP, MSK practitioner, hospital consultant or nurse specialist will discuss the different treatment options with you.
Some operations or treatments will only be recommended for some patients. All patients with this condition will be referred to the Community musculoskeletal service (MSK) for clinical triage, assessment and treatment.
The MSK service will assess your condition to identify the best treatment plan for you.
The MSK service will also assess whether or not you meet the clinical conditions or criteria. Please click here to look at the criteria for a knee replacement.
If you don’t qualify for the treatment, but your doctor or nurse thinks that there are exceptional clinical circumstances in your case then they may submit an Individual Funding Request (IFR) to an independent panel for consideration.
The IFR panel meets weekly and aims to consider cases within 14days. The panel’s decision will be communicated to you by letter if you are an adult or by letter to your GP if you are the guardian of a child applying for funding.
If your IFR application is rejected (meaning that your surgery will not be funded by the NHS), then you or your GP has the right to appeal to the IFR panel against this decision within 90days. The panel is independent to your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).