Common Foot Surgeries Explained: Bunionectomy, Hammertoe Correction & Neuroma Removal

Key Takeaways

• Surgery is almost never the first step — Dr. Mollineda starts with conservative care (shoes, orthotics, padding, injections) and reserves surgery for cases that don't respond.

• The three most common foot surgeries Dr. Mollineda performs: bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, and Morton's neuroma removal.

• Most foot procedures are outpatient and use a local or regional block — not general anesthesia.

• Expect a stiff post-op shoe for several weeks; return to regular shoes usually within a few weeks to a few months; high-impact activity takes longer.

• Realistic risks include infection, delayed bone healing, swelling, nerve irritation, and recurrence. These are reviewed in detail at consultation.

Surgery is almost never the first answer for a painful foot. For most patients at Sunshine Foot & Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, the path runs through several months of conservative care first — supportive shoes, custom orthotics, padding, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes injections. But when those measures have been honestly tried and the pain or deformity is still limiting your daily life, surgery becomes a reasonable option.

This guide walks through the three foot surgeries Dr. Mollineda performs most often: bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, and Morton's neuroma removal. The goal is to give you a realistic sense of what the procedure is, why it's done, and what recovery generally looks like — so that when you sit down for a consultation, you arrive informed.

Bunionectomy

What it corrects

A bunion is a bony prominence at the base of the big toe, caused by a gradual shift in the alignment of the first metatarsal bone. Over time, the big toe drifts toward the second toe and the joint at the base becomes enlarged and often painful. Bunions are progressive — they don't go away on their own — but many patients live with them comfortably for years with the right shoes and orthotics.

When surgery becomes appropriate

A bunionectomy is considered when the bunion causes pain that limits walking or shoe choice despite conservative care, when the toe deformity is affecting the second toe or causing skin breakdown, or when an active patient simply can't get back to the activity they need without correction.

What the procedure involves

Modern bunionectomy techniques vary. Some are minimally invasive (small incisions, percutaneous bone cuts) and some are traditional open procedures. Most include realigning the first metatarsal bone, sometimes with a small screw or pin to hold the corrected position, and re-tensioning the soft tissue around the joint. Dr. Mollineda will choose the technique that fits your specific bunion.

Recovery in broad strokes

Patients are typically in a stiff post-op shoe or boot for the first several weeks, with elevation and limited weight-bearing during the first 1–2 weeks. Most can return to a regular shoe within a few weeks to a few months depending on the procedure and the bone-healing timeline. Returning to high-impact activity takes longer — your timeline will be specific to you.

Hammertoe Correction

What it corrects

A hammertoe is a toe that bends abnormally at the middle joint, often the second toe. It can be flexible (the toe can still be straightened by hand) or rigid (it can't). Flexible hammertoes are sometimes manageable with shoe changes, padding, and toe-strengthening exercises. Rigid hammertoes that hurt, develop calluses or sores on top, or cause shoe-fit problems are surgical candidates.

What the procedure involves

Hammertoe surgery generally involves releasing or lengthening the tight tendons and remodeling the small bone of the affected toe joint. A small temporary pin or internal implant is often used to hold the corrected position while the bone heals.

Recovery in broad strokes

Hammertoe correction is usually outpatient and the foot is in a stiff post-op shoe for several weeks. Most patients are walking with weight on the heel from the day of surgery. Swelling in the toe can persist for several months — that's normal and expected.

Morton's Neuroma Removal

What it corrects

A Morton's neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. It usually feels like a burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot, sometimes with a sensation that there's a pebble in your shoe. Some patients describe numbness in the affected toes.

When surgery becomes appropriate

Conservative care for Morton's neuroma — wider shoes, metatarsal pads, custom orthotics, and corticosteroid injections — works well for many patients. Surgery to remove the neuroma is considered when those measures have been tried and the pain still limits daily activity.

What the procedure involves

Neuroma excision removes the thickened nerve tissue through a small incision on the top or bottom of the foot. The procedure is typically outpatient.

Recovery in broad strokes

After neuroma removal, patients are usually in a stiff post-op shoe for a few weeks. Some permanent numbness between the affected toes is expected — that's because the surgery removes part of a nerve — but most patients report it's a fair trade for being out of pain. Return to regular shoes and most activity takes several weeks; high-impact activity often takes longer.

Where the Surgery Happens

Foot surgery can be performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), a hospital outpatient department, or — for select smaller procedures — an in-office surgical suite. The location depends on the procedure, the anesthesia plan, and your overall medical picture. Dr. Mollineda and the surgical scheduler will walk you through where your surgery will take place and what to expect on the day of.

Anesthesia

Most foot surgeries are done under a local or regional block (sometimes combined with light sedation) rather than general anesthesia. This generally means you go home the same day, and you can usually eat normally and resume most medications quickly. You will receive specific pre-op instructions when surgery is scheduled.

Risks Every Foot Surgery Patient Should Understand

All surgery carries risk. The most common risks for these procedures include infection, delayed bone healing, persistent swelling, nerve irritation or numbness, recurrence of the deformity, and unsatisfactory cosmetic result. These will be discussed in detail at your consultation, and Dr. Mollineda will answer your questions before you sign anything.

What to Bring to Your Consultation

• A list of every treatment you've already tried, including how long and how consistently

• Your current shoes, or photos

• Any prior X-rays, MRIs, or imaging

• A list of all medications and supplements you take

• Your insurance card

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is recovery after a bunionectomy?

Most patients are in a stiff post-op shoe for several weeks with limited weight-bearing during the first 1–2 weeks. Return to a regular shoe usually happens within a few weeks to a few months depending on the technique used and how your bone heals. Return to high-impact activity (running, court sports) takes longer.

Will I need general anesthesia for foot surgery?

Most foot surgeries can be done under a local or regional nerve block, sometimes with light sedation, rather than general anesthesia. You typically go home the same day. The specific anesthesia plan is reviewed with you before surgery.

Is some numbness normal after Morton's neuroma removal?

Yes. Because the surgery removes part of a nerve, some permanent numbness between the affected toes is expected. Most patients describe this as a fair trade for being out of pain.

Can I drive after foot surgery?

Driving depends on which foot was operated on, what anesthesia and pain medications you're using, and how comfortable you are wearing a post-op shoe or boot. Most patients need someone to drive them home the day of surgery; Dr. Mollineda will give you a personalized return-to-driving timeline at your follow-ups.

Will my insurance cover foot surgery?

Most foot surgeries that are medically necessary are covered, at least in part, by commercial insurance and Medicare. Cosmetic-only foot procedures are usually not covered. Our team helps you verify your specific plan and obtain pre-authorization before scheduling.

Can my bunion come back after surgery?

Recurrence is possible — it's one of the documented risks. The risk varies by procedure type, the original deformity, and post-op factors like footwear choices. Dr. Mollineda will discuss the recurrence rate for the specific technique recommended for your foot.

About Dr. Jonathan Mollineda, DPM

Dr. Jonathan Mollineda is a board-certified podiatrist and the founder of Sunshine Foot & Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. He treats patients across Broward County — including Lauderhill, Plantation, Tamarac, North Lauderdale, Margate, and Sunrise — in English and Spanish, with a focus on personalized, conservative-first care for the full range of foot and ankle conditions.

Schedule a Surgical Consultation

Sunshine Foot & Ankle is at 2951 NW 49 Ave, Suite 204, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313. If you've been living with a painful bunion, hammertoe, or neuroma that no longer responds to conservative care, request a consultation. You'll leave with a clear, personalized picture of whether surgery is the right next step — and what it would actually look like for your foot.