I am training to be a 100m sprinter and have recently been diagnosed with hallux valgus of the left big toe. I am on the waiting list at my local hospital to have an operation to straighten out my toe, using a wire. Will this is affect my athletics in the future?
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In hallux valgus, the medical term for bunion, the hallux, or big toe, moves towards the lesser toes and a bony lump appears on the inside of the foot. Though bunions may run in families, this does not imply that the condition is hereditary. It is also more common in women. Some people are born with a predisposition to developing bunions, especially if they wear shoes that constrict the toes or have high heels. The pressure of the shoe over the bunion causes discomfort or pain, and the skin over it may become red, inflamed, blistered or infected. The foot may also become so broad that it is difficult to get appropriate shoes. The hallux may tilt over so much that it rubs on the second toe or pushes it up out of place. More than 150 different operations have been designed to correct bunions (at least 25 of which use a wire); none of them corrects all the components of the deformity.

If you are in training and the only problem you have is from the shoes, a simple solution is to use trainers wide enough over the toes. The right operation can correct the deformity, but the function of the hallux can be affected: you may have a nicer-looking foot, but your running ability may be impaired. Recovery is prolonged, and some patients may have swelling and ache in the foot for six to nine months after the operation.

In a nutshell, therefore, your running can be affected by bunion surgery: you need to be properly assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon who is used to dealing with these problems in athletes.

· Professor Maffulli is a consultant orthopaedic and sports injury surgeon at Keele University medical school. If you have a question for him, email fitness@theguardian.com