Bunion Surgery in Turkey

Bunion surgery (hallux valgus correction) in Turkey is a well-established orthopaedic procedure that realigns the big-toe joint to relieve pain and improve the shape of the foot. For international patients it is usually a day-case or single-overnight operation in an accredited hospital, with a typical stay of 2-4 days and a protective post-operative shoe worn for 4-6 weeks. Unal Cakar coordinates the whole pathway as an independent facilitator and patient advocate - matching you with a consultant foot-and-ankle surgeon and arranging structured aftercare - while you pay the clinic directly.

A bunion - known medically as hallux valgus - is a bony prominence on the inner side of the foot, at the base of the big toe, that develops when the first metatarsophalangeal joint gradually loses its alignment and the big toe drifts towards the second toe. Over time the bump can become red, painful and inflamed, make shoes uncomfortable, and lead to corns, overlapping toes and changes in the way you walk.

Bunion surgery corrects this deformity rather than simply shaving off the bump. Depending on severity, the surgeon cuts and repositions the bone (an osteotomy), rebalances the surrounding soft tissues, and in some cases fuses an unstable or arthritic joint, restoring a straighter, more functional toe.

The right operation depends on how severe and how stiff your bunion is, confirmed on weight-bearing X-rays. For mild-to-moderate deformities, surgeons commonly perform an osteotomy (such as a chevron or scarf osteotomy), cutting the metatarsal bone and shifting it into a corrected position held with small titanium screws. Increasingly this can be done with minimally invasive (MIS / percutaneous) techniques through a few millimetre-sized incisions, which can mean less soft-tissue disruption and more discreet scarring. For severe or unstable deformities, or when the joint is worn, a Lapidus fusion or joint fusion (arthrodesis) may be advised for a more durable correction.

Most bunion procedures are performed as day-case or single-overnight surgery, often under a regional ankle block with sedation rather than full general anaesthesia. The operation usually takes 45-90 minutes per foot, and you are typically able to bear weight in a flat, rigid-soled protective shoe soon afterwards, depending on the technique used.

• Corrects hallux valgus (the big-toe 'bump') with osteotomy or minimally invasive (MIS) techniques
• Suits painful bunions that haven't responded to wider shoes, orthotics or spacers
• Typically day-case or one overnight; protective shoe worn for 4-6 weeks
• Includes pre-op imaging, surgeon consultation, fixation hardware and structured follow-up
• Independent coordination by Unal Cakar; you pay the accredited clinic directly

1. 01

   Remote assessment and imaging review

   Share your symptoms, footwear difficulties and any recent weight-bearing X-rays. Unal arranges a review with a foot-and-ankle surgeon to confirm whether surgery is appropriate and which technique fits your deformity.

2. 02

   Personalised plan and transparent quote

   You receive a written plan setting out the recommended technique, the surgeon's credentials, the hospital, the all-in clinic price and what is included, so you can decide without pressure.

3. 03

   Arrival and pre-operative work-up

   On arrival you have updated X-rays, blood tests and an anaesthetic review. The surgeon confirms the plan and marks the foot before surgery.

4. 04

   Day-case or overnight surgery

   The bunion is corrected under regional or general anaesthesia, usually in 45-90 minutes per foot. Most patients go home the same day or after one night.

5. 05

   First follow-up and protective footwear

   Before you leave Turkey, the team checks the wound, fits your post-operative shoe and gives written instructions on weight-bearing, elevation and blood-clot prevention.

6. 06

   Travel home and structured aftercare

   Unal coordinates remote follow-up, guidance on suture removal and physiotherapy, and a direct line back to the surgeon if you have any concerns during healing.

Good candidates are adults with a painful bunion that limits walking, footwear or daily life and has not improved with conservative measures such as wider shoes, orthotics, toe spacers or analgesia. Imaging that shows clear joint malalignment - with or without early arthritis - supports the decision to operate. Surgery is generally not recommended for purely cosmetic reasons in a pain-free foot. It is approached with extra caution, or postponed, in people who smoke (which impairs bone healing), those with poorly controlled diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, active foot infection or significant skin problems over the operating site. A proper assessment weighs your symptoms, X-rays and general health before any operation is confirmed.

• Lasting pain relief and realignment of the big-toe joint
• Minimally invasive options with small incisions and discreet scarring
• Day-case or single-overnight surgery in accredited hospitals
• Walk on the same or next day in a protective post-operative shoe, depending on the technique
• Consultant foot-and-ankle surgeons with transparent credentials
• Coordinated travel, translation and structured remote aftercare

Most patients walk on the day of surgery or the next day in a flat, rigid-soled protective shoe, which is usually worn for 4-6 weeks to shield the healing bone while it knits in its corrected position. Keeping the foot elevated, especially in the first two weeks, is the single most effective way to control swelling and discomfort, and simple painkillers are normally enough once the anaesthetic wears off. Stitches are typically removed or checked at around 10-14 days, which can be coordinated locally at home.

You can usually return to roomy trainers at about 6-8 weeks, to a desk job within 1-3 weeks (sooner if you can elevate the foot), and to driving once you can safely control the car - often 4-6 weeks for the right foot. Swelling is the slowest thing to settle: mild puffiness around the toe can come and go for several months, sometimes up to a year, and return to running, sport or fashion footwear is usually a 3-6 month milestone.

Bunion correction is generally very effective at relieving the pain caused by hallux valgus and at restoring a straighter big toe, and most people are satisfied with both comfort and appearance once swelling settles. Results are best judged at 6-12 months, when the bone has fully healed and the soft tissues have calmed down. It is important to have realistic expectations: the aim is a comfortable, functional, better-aligned foot rather than a 'perfect' or model-like toe, and a small degree of stiffness is normal after some techniques. No surgeon can guarantee a flawless cosmetic outcome or that a bunion will never partially return.

Turkey has become a leading destination for orthopaedic foot surgery because accredited private hospitals combine experienced foot-and-ankle surgeons and modern minimally invasive techniques with prices that are often a fraction of those in the UK, where bunion surgery can run into several thousand pounds privately and carry long NHS waiting lists. Unal Cakar works as an independent health-tourism facilitator and patient advocate - not a clinic - selecting vetted, accredited hospitals, arranging your surgeon, imaging, accommodation, translation and transfers, and staying involved through your recovery. You always pay the hospital directly for your treatment; Unal's coordination is sponsored by the partner clinics, so his role is to protect your interests, not to sell you an operation.