American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
View all recommendations from this societyReleased September 17, 2014; Revised January 15, 2021
Don’t perform surgery for a bunion or hammertoes without symptoms.
Foot surgery for cosmetic reasons is not supported by medical research. Symptoms such as pain and limitations of activity are the most common reasons to pursue bunion or hammertoe surgery. Patients having surgery for bunions and hammertoes are at risk for a wide range of complications such as nerve damage, infection, bone healing problems and toe stiffness.
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their health care provider.
How The List Was Created
In order to formulate this list, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Evidence-Based Medicine Committee reviewed the society position statements on foot and ankle care and solicited expert opinion from specialty leaders to prepare an initial list of topics for the Choosing Wisely website. The Evidence-Based Medicine Committee members reviewed the scientific literature on each statement and presented draft statements with supporting evidence to the committee for discussion. The finalized list was then reviewed and approved by the AOFAS Board of Directors.
For more information, visit www.aofas.org.
Sources
Bunions [internet] Rosemont (IL): American Orthopaedic & Ankle Society. Available from: http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/ailments-of-the-big-toe/Pages/Bunions.aspx
Adult feet [internet] Rosemont (IL): American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. Available from: https://www.footcaremd.org/foot-ankle-health/adult-feet
Lehman DE. Salvage of complications of hallux valgus surgery. Foot Ankle Clin. 2003;8(1):15–35.
Pfeffer GB. Cosmetic foot surgery: a step in the wrong direction. Am J Orthop. 2011;40(4):174.
Sammarco GJ, Idusuyi OB. Complications after surgery of the hallux. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2001;(391):59–71
Scranton PE. Jr., McDermott JE. Prognostic factors in bunion surgery. Foot Ankle Int. 1995;16(11):698–704.
Wapner KL: Conservative treatment of the foot. In Coughlin MJ; Mann RA; Saltzman CL, eds. Surgery of the Foot and Ankle. Vol I. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA,
Mosby Elsevier, 2007, 147–148.
