The PBS philosophy attaches great importance to the patient’s wellbeing. This has meant the team has been able to systematically develop a series of steps to treat bunions and conditions of the forefoot over the years. The professionalism and the competence of the PBS team accompany the patient from the initial consultation. The Procedure is not just surgery, which we suggest only when there are no alternative solutions. It often favours conservative therapies, which are able to prevent the condition from getting any worse.
The steps in the PBS Procedure are:
1. The initial consultation
The PBS procedure begins with the initial consultation to establish the extent of the condition and determine whether the patient can be treated with medication or requires surgery. The patient should come to this initial consultation with a bilateral foot X-Ray in a standing position.
2. Preparation for Surgery and Hospitalisation
If non-surgical therapy is not possible, the patient will be placed on the surgery waiting list at the clinic with the doctor of his or her choice.
Some useful pre-surgery information can be found on the page “Pre-surgery Information“.
3. Surgery
Anaesthesia and surgery with PBS instruments without fixation devices (screws, wires, plates, pins). Assessment of alignment, dressing and specific PBS bandaging.
For a description of the surgery, please refer to the page “PBS surgery to correct Hallux Valgus“.
4. Post-surgery
At the end of surgery, the surgeon or the operating theatre team provide a personalised plan for the post-surgery procedure, depending on the complexity of the surgical procedure. Shortly after surgery, you will be able to wear an orthopaedic shoe and take your first steps. At home, you must gradually and progressively increase walking, alternating walks and rest.
For some information on the post-surgery period and advice on what to do at home, see the page “Post-Surgery Information“.
5. Monitoring
After 15/20 days, you should return to the clinic for a check-up. The time varies depending on the condition operated on. The medical staff will check the progress of the healing process and provide personalised procedures (exercises and possibly medication) to help reach a successful conclusion. Further check-ups may be required in the 3 months after surgery.
6. X-ray Check-up
45 days after surgery, you will have a routine check-up with the surgeon to assess how calcification, consolidation and alignment of the bones of the foot are progressing. You should bring your X-rays of the orthostatic load to this check-up.