Are bunions a disability?

Generally speaking, VA rates bunions according to 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings – Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5280. The rating criteria are as follows: 10% – operated with resection of metatarsal head. 10% – severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe.

Can you get disability from having bunions?

Unfortunately bunions are not listed in the Social Security Administration blue book. However, this doesn't mean that you won't be approved for disability benefits.

What happens if bunions are left untreated?

If left untreated, a bunion can cause arthritis, especially if the joint in the big toe has sustained extensive, long-term damage. Bunions may cause the cartilage in the joint to deteriorate. While bunions can be remedied through surgery, arthritis and the possibility of chronic pain are not curable.

Does bunion affect for life?

Previous studies have shown that bunions may affect gait, balance, and increase risk of falls in older people, but researchers speculate that along with these issues, people with severe bunions may report less satisfaction with their lives because they have trouble finding shoes they like to wear.

How long are you off work for bunion surgery?

Most people who have bunion surgery recover well and can resume their usual activities in six to 12 weeks.

Bunions – Common Causes and Treatment Options

Is bunion surgery worth having?

If a bunion is not painful, surgery is not usually recommended. Bunions often get worse over time, but surgery is not recommended to prevent bunions from worsening, and oftentimes, proper footwear and other preventive care can slow down the progression of a bunion.

How painful is bunion surgery?

Is bunion surgery painful? No, the surgery itself isn't painful. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your foot so you don't feel pain. You will also be given a sedative to help make you more comfortable.

Do bunions affect walking?

Bunions can Limit Movement and Mobility

As bunions grow, they can begin to affect foot function negatively. Movement is accompanied by pain, and people adjust their gait and balance to compensate. Adapting your stride to accommodate a bunion changes your balance and increases your risk of falls.

Can bunions grow back?

Can bunions grow back after surgery? Recurrence after bunion surgery is a possibility, but it is not common. However, when bunions do come back, they reoccur, but they do not regrow. That's because a bunion is not a growth of bone, rather a dislocation of the big toe joint.

What problems can a bunions cause?

But, as the bunion gets larger, it can seriously affect how your foot works. You experience redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain at the base of the big toe, and it can migrate to the ball of the foot. Your bent big toe may put pressure on your other toes, causing damage such as hammertoes or corns.

Do bunions get worse with age?

Over time, the foot bones are squeezed into an unnatural formation causing damaged anatomy and pain. It's also a well-known fact that as we age, or gain weight, our feet spread and that worsens the problems already in place or triggers the development of bunions.

When should you get bunions removed?

Generally speaking, the following signs would likely cause us to recommend a surgical fix: You've been experiencing pain in your feet for a long period of time—usually at least one year. You've tried all applicable conservative treatment options and they haven't worked, or are no longer working.

How do people live with bunions?

What foot problems qualify for disability?

Some of the most common foot conditions veterans experience following service include pes planus (flat feet), plantar fasciitis, bunion deformity, and arthritis. Veterans may be eligible to receive VA disability compensation if they are able to demonstrate that their foot conditions are due to their time in service.

Can I get disability for my feet?

If you have suffered a foot- or ankle-related injury, you may qualify for federal disability retirement benefits if the condition impacts your ability to do your job.

What foot problems qualify for Social Security disability?

Hip, leg, knee, ankle and foot conditions and injuries such as arthritis, crush injuries, avascular necrosis, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and tendon, ligament and cartilage damage.

Do bunions cause arthritis?

Sometimes arthritis can develop in the presence of a bunion due to the prolonged abnormal position of the joint. This can occur when the bunion deformity is advanced and the MTP joint sustains repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury that sets the arthritis in motion.

Do screws stay in after bunion surgery?

The screw can also remain in the foot for life, and only needs to be removed in very rare cases if it becomes painful or prominent. This can be done in a straightforward outpatient procedure performed long after the bone has healed.

Are bunions genetic?

While there are some pleasant genetic traits and characteristics you may inherit from your parents, chances are you may also inherit some not-so-great ones—such as foot problems, namely bunions. Bunions run in families, because foot types, such as shape and structure, are hereditary (thanks, mom and dad!).

Is walking barefoot good for bunions?

GO BAREFOOT

Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.

Can bunions cause hip and back pain?

Because of the pain they cause, bunions can change the way you walk, increasing pressure on other parts of your foot, as well as your knees, hips, and lower back.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a bunion?

And the answer is: Surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions once they form and become a problem. However, surgery isn't your only treatment option to relieve bunion pain. In fact, nonsurgical bunion treatments are always the first step.

Is bunion surgery serious?

The possible risks and complications of bunion surgery include: Infection. Nerve injury. Failure to relieve pain.

Will I be able to bend my toe after bunion surgery?

13) Normal walking will not be a part of your routine for at least 8 weeks after surgery. Expect mild pain and restriction of movement (bending) of the toes for 8 weeks or more. Normal shoes may not be possible for 8-16 weeks after surgery depending on swelling.

Why do people get bunions?

What causes bunions? Bunions are generally thought to be genetic. They occur because of faulty foot structure, which is inherited. Some conditions that contribute to the development of bunions include flat feet, excessively flexible ligaments, and abnormal bone structure.