One of the most recurring questions in our consultations is: “Should I wait until winter to have surgery?” or “Is it better to take advantage of the summer vacations?”. There is a belief that the weather drastically influences the success of a bunionette or claw toe surgery. However, thanks to the evolution of modern podiatry, the answer is clear: the best time is when you decide to recover your quality of life.
At Clínica San Román, we maintain our surgical activity throughout the year, adapting our protocols so that the recovery is excellent, whether under the August sun or in the cold of January.
❄️ Winter Surgery: Thermal Control and Discretion
Many patients prefer the cold months for physiological and esthetic reasons:
- Less inflammation: Ambient cold is a natural ally. It helps keep the foot temperature low, which reduces vasodilation and, therefore, the initial postoperative swelling.
- Discretion with footwear: The post-surgical shoe and bandages go more unnoticed under long pants or wide socks.
- Preparation for summer: By operating in winter, the foot is fully recovered and the micro-scar is consolidated for when it is time to wear sandals or go to the beach.
☀️ Summer Surgery: Time and Comfort
Contrary to popular belief, summer is one of the seasons with the highest demand in our clinic due to unbeatable logistical benefits:
- Time availability: Taking advantage of vacation time avoids having to request prolonged sick leave and allows for a much more relaxed relative rest.
- More comfortable footwear: In the summer, wearing post-surgical footwear is more bearable by not having to deal with rain or extreme cold.2 Also, once you move on to your own footwear, wide-strap sandals are ideal.
- Postoperative care: With fewer layers of clothing, functional bandages are easier for the patient to handle.
Key Fact: At Clínica San Román we operate from January to December. We do not close for seasonal periods because we understand that foot pain does not understand calendars.
📊 Seasonal Comparison: What You Should Know
| Factor | Winter Operation | Summer Operation |
| Inflammation | Easier to control because of the cold. | Requires more hydration and foot high. |
| Logistics | It usually requires sick leave management. | Vacation periods are taken advantage of. |
| Clothing/Shoes | More discreet under long clothing. | More comfortable due to the lightness of the footwear. |
| Healing | Naturally protected from the sun. | Requires photoprotection after removal of bandage. |
The common factor: Clinica San Roman’s MIS Technique
Regardless of whether the thermometer reads 5°C or 30°C, the benefits of our Minimal Incision Surgery remain unchanged:
- You walk: No matter the season, you leave the clinic on your own feet. This is vital in summer so you don’t lose mobility on vacation, and in winter to maintain your routine.
- No traditional stitches: 2mm micro-incisions close quickly, minimizing infection risks previously associated with heat.
- Local anesthesia: You avoid the risks of general anesthesia, allowing an immediate return to your normal life.
💡 Tips according to the time of year.
If you decide to have surgery in winter, make sure you have wide cotton socks that do not compress the bandage. If you choose summer, the most important thing is to follow our guidelines to keep the bandage dry and, once removed, protect the area from the sun so that the mark (already minimal) is completely invisible.
Conclusion: Your well-being cannot wait
Postponing bunion or claw toe surgery only aggravates the deformity and pain. At Clínica San Román we are ready to receive you any month of the year, offering you the same medical excellence and definitive results.
Don’t wait for the “ideal season”. The perfect time is today.
