Document type

Clinical pathways

Place

Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB

Output type

Clinical Pathways

Pathway

Bunions Pathway

Information leaflet

MSK Triage Patient LetterMSK Triage Leaflet

Bunions

Next review date: July 2025. 

 

Refer to orthopaedics for consideration of surgery if:

• No improvement after 3 months conservative management and
• Symptomatic and
• Patient requesting surgery and
• Patient suffers from severe pain or deformity (overriding toes) that causes significant functional impairment or
• Symptoms prevent the patient from fulfilling vital work or educational responsibilities or
• Symptoms prevent the patient carrying out vital domestic or carer activities

Requests for the removal of symptomatic bunions will only be considered if:

1. Conservative management has failed;

AND

2. The patient suffers from severe pain or deformity (overriding toes) that causes significant functional impairment, including:

• Symptoms which prevent the patient fulfilling vital work or educational responsibilities, or
• Symptoms which prevent the patient carrying out vital domestic or carer activities.