ArticleGerontology2026
Effect of Bunion Surgery on Fall Risk: A Nationwide Database Study of 127,990 Older Adults with Hallux Valgus.
Article in Gerontology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionThe presence of a bunion (hallux valgus) deformity is a recognized risk factor for falls among older adults; however, it is uncertain whether surgical correction of the foot deformity can help mitigate this risk.
methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of US adults aged 50 years and over with hallux valgus using commercial, state, and federal healthcare claims obtained from a national database (PearlDiver, Inc.). Patients who underwent bunion surgery were compared to those treated nonoperatively for their bunion deformities from January 2011 to April 2022. Claims-based falls (all-cause) were tracked using diagnosis codes for up to 11 years. Group differences in fall risk were examined using both 1-year and long-term adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and corresponding absolute risks.
resultsThere were 127,990 people diagnosed with hallux valgus and 17,406 (13.6%) underwent surgery. The median follow-up time was 2,905 and 2,298 days for the surgery and non-surgery groups, respectively. A smaller proportion of people fell in the surgery versus non-surgery group (5 vs. 8% at 1 year; 16 vs. 21% over total follow-up). Furthermore, after controlling for important covariates, patients who underwent bunion surgery were 16% less likely to fall in the first year (aHR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.92) and 42% less likely to fall over the 11-year follow-up (aHR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.52-0.63) compared to those with uncorrected hallux valgus deformity.
conclusionAmong older adults in whom surgery is already indicated, a potential ancillary benefit may be a reduction in injurious falls over time.
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