The question on the mind of many Podiatrists and their patients is when will Podiatrists be able to perform my bunion surgery? Podiatrists are wondering when and if they can start performing elective surgery. The answer is it’s going to be a long while. There area a couple of factors going on.

While the Pandemic is going on and states are under quarantine obviously this will reduce and eliminate Podiatric surgery. Here is the issue. Currently the efforts in most states and locales is to flatten the curve. While flattening the curve is good for society it’s going to be very bad for Podiatric surgery. The flattening of the curve is so hospitals do not get overwhelmed by making the case extend over a long period of time.

The treatment of coronavirus will thus be extended over a six month to year timetable. This will end up in hospitals having to extend services, equipment and personnel to treating the coronavirus. They will be unable to provide the support staff necessary for bunion surgery or flat foot surgery. The hospitals are not going to have the gowns or surgical masks to be able to provide support for such surgery. So best estimate is maybe in six months Podiatrists will be able to perform elective surgeries such as hammer toes, but this could extend for as long as a year.