How much scarring can I anticipate?

Frequently Asked Question

Skin closure is done with plastic surgery and the vast majority of patients' incisions are not noticeable 6 months to a year later.

Occasionally, the absorbable suture creates a reaction within the skin that forms a slightly elevated and red or brown scar. In approximately 3 percent of our patients, we excise the scar and re-suture it with a non-absorbable suture. These patients do very well. The exceptions are those who have a long-standing history of keloids, and these people are most likely aware of the possibility of scarring. We can reduce the formation of keloids by way of injection therapy during the healing process.

Sometimes the tissue underneath the skin, otherwise known as the joint capsule, can become extra thick, restricting range of motion. It sometimes has a tendency to look like the bunion has reoccurred. The patients always go back in and get the thickened scar tissue removed and they also do well post operatively.