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Cheilectomy
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hrs
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CHEILECTOMY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We understand how critical mobility is to your quality of life. Our specialists are here to help you get back on your feet and doing the things you love. You’ll be looked after by consultants who are leaders in treating conditions of the feet, in state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment and care.
97% of our patients say they’re likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends for orthopaedic care. We also have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare provider in the UK.
97% of our patients say they’re likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends for orthopaedic care. We also have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare provider in the UK.
Sometimes bone spurs develop right on top of the main joint of your big toe. These spurs feel like a lump under the skin. A cheilectomy is a procedure to remove these spurs, freeing up movement in your big toe.
These bone spurs are usually caused by a type of osteoarthritis called hallux rigidus, which translates as stiff big toe. You may sometimes see a cheilectomy referred to as hallux rigidus surgery.
Some younger, often sporty, people without arthritis can also start to develop these painful bone spurs on top of their big toe joints, and we’re not entirely sure why but we think it relates to too much motion, perhaps due to a ligament injury. People with inflammatory conditions such as gout are often affected too.
Worried about pain in your big toe, but not sure what to do?
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, can develop along the edges of your bones, at a joint, to try and stabilise that joint or stop it from moving. While your body thinks it’s helping you by reducing motion, the reverse is true as these spurs can cause soft tissues to get caught in the joint, which is painful.
Bone spurs typically form either because of an injury to the ligaments caused by too much motion, or in a joint with wear and tear arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis. Some people may be more predisposed to developing bone spurs due to their genetic makeup.
Bone spurs typically form either because of an injury to the ligaments caused by too much motion, or in a joint with wear and tear arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis. Some people may be more predisposed to developing bone spurs due to their genetic makeup.
Wearing shoes might become uncomfortable, especially if you wear high heels that extend the big toe or if you like doing planks in the gym. You might also struggle to move or walk without pain in your big toe.
Typically, surgery will only be considered if you are still in pain once you have tried other self-management treatments and techniques. Your consultant will be able to advise you, but these could include:
- Painkilling anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone injections to reduce swelling and irritation
- Modified footwear, such as shoes with a wide toe box or carbon-fibre insoles to stiffen the shoe and reduce motion across the painful big toe
- Limiting vigorous activity such as running
- An open cheilectomy: with this procedure, your surgeon makes one incision over your toe joint allowing them to clean it out and remove the bone spurs before stitching the incision back up.
- A minimally invasive cheilectomy: your surgeon will make smaller incisions and use a small drill called a burr to clean the joint and remove the bone spurs, before the incisions are stitched up.
No1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to a specialist
Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hours
Specialist foot and ankle consultants
For accurate diagnosis and effective treatment
State-of-the-art diagnostics
Get results back within 48 hours
CHEILECTOMY PROCESS
What to expect
Our specialist consultants and multidisciplinary teams are focused on getting you back to doing the things you love, with the fast diagnosis and treatment you need. With HCA UK, you’re in the best place to get the any corrective surgical treatment you need to improve the flexibility of your toe and return to activities you love such as long walks, running and other forms of exercise.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from your GP, your consultant will always start with a thorough physical examination. They’ll explore your complete medical history and ask about any symptoms that you’re experiencing.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Our consultants have the latest imaging technologies at hand to help better understand and accurately diagnose your condition. That might be an ultrasound, X-ray or MRI scan.
03
Treatment
This procedure is usually a surgical day case, but you may need to stay in overnight, depending on your general level of fitness. You’ll have a general anaesthetic with local anaesthetic around the toe, so you wake up comfortable and without pain. The procedure can, in some circumstances, be performed under local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will recommend which they think is right for you.
04
Aftercare
You’ll be given a postoperative shoe, and you can weight bear as long as it’s comfortable to do so. You won’t be able to drive yourself home, but you should be able to walk again from day one. It’s best to take it easy, reducing walking and trying to shift your weight to your heel when standing. You’ll be offered physiotherapy to help speed up your recovery, and your stitches will be removed after a couple of weeks.
Where can I access a cheilectomy?
You can access HCA UK’s specialist orthopaedic services in our renowned hospitals in London and Buckinghamshire and in our flagship Birmingham hospital, The Harborne and The Wilmslow Hospital in Cheshire. Across hospitals and treatment centres, you’ll have access to some of the country’s most respected experts who can help, from initial consultation through to treatment and next steps.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
A cheilectomy is sometimes confused with bunion surgery, but they are different procedures. Bunions are also bony lumps, but they form on the outside of your toe, rather than on the top.
Bunions can be treated by an osteotomy which cuts away the lump, straightens your toe and fixes it with screws and staples.
Bunions can be treated by an osteotomy which cuts away the lump, straightens your toe and fixes it with screws and staples.
Your stitches should be removed after about two weeks and with some physiotherapy to help, you should be back on your feet within a couple of weeks. It might take up to 6 weeks to get back into normal shoes.
A cheilectomy is not a cure for arthritis. It’s a procedure that resets the clock and can buy you several years without needing more invasive surgery. If you have severe arthritis in the joint, there’s a chance you may continue to feel pain in your toes around the joint and may even need to consider a further procedure such as a joint fusion or joint replacement.
Your HCA UK consultant will discuss your options with you and ensure that you have the best treatment for your specific condition.
Your HCA UK consultant will discuss your options with you and ensure that you have the best treatment for your specific condition.
Our patients’ foot stories
Timothys story preserving diabetic foot
Timothy, aged 77, lives and works on a conservation farm in Zambia, Southern Africa. He has Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy but keeps an active lifestyle as a farmer by tending to giraffes, zebras and buffalo.
Glynis is bowled over by her new ankle
A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life.
Marinella’s story: Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
“One of the best things was having a consultant I could communicate with. I couldn’t go on as I was – I couldn’t function, I couldn’t walk… As far as I’m concerned, Mr Goldberg saved my life.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.