Bunion Surgery Can Reduce Fall Risk

Standard indications for corrective bunion surgery includes things like pain, limitations in physical activity such as sport or daily life, and conservative treatment being inadequate. Foot deformities, such as bunions, are a risk factor for falling among older adults. Bunions are also referred to as hallux valgus with metatarsus primus varus. According to a recent study published earlier this year, fall prevention can be added to the list of surgical indications. This study was published in the journal Gerontology and included almost 128,000 individuals with bunion deformity and who were aged 50 years or older and had a mean baseline age of 62.

In this large study individuals 50 years or older who had corrective bunion surgery were 16% less likely to fall in the first year following surgery than those with uncorrected bunion deformity. When that follow up time frame is extended from one to 11 years post-surgery, the fall risk drops much further. Individuals undergoing surgical bunion correction are 42% less likely to fall during that time when compared to those with uncorrected deformity.

Falls in older adults are not trivial. They are associated with fractures, loss of independence, hospitalization, and even mortality. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury related deaths in older adults living in the United States. Treating and caring for fall related injuries can be quite costly.

Bunion surgery can restore alignment and improve function, balance, gait mechanics and shoe fit. It can decrease pain, increase confidence with walking, and reduce fall risk.

In summary, foot problems are a fall risk factor which can be modified and addressed. Bunion surgery can have a protective effect, similar to the effects of cataract surgery and pacemaker implantation, both of which can also decrease fall risk. Bunion surgery done for the sole purpose of fall prevention is not appropriate. Fall prevention, however, is one more data point to consider when evaluating whether the benefits outweigh the downsides of surgical intervention.

If you have any questions about bunions, or would like to discuss whether surgical correction would be appropriate for you, schedule an appointment today for an evaluation of your feet.

Fleischer et al “Effect of Bunion Surgery on Fall Risk: A Nationwide Database Study of 127,990 Older Adults with Hallux Valgus.” Gerontology. 2026; 72(6):438-445