I had surgery for Hallux Valgus(aka "bunion") about 10 years ago. I sought treatment when I reached the point it took 24hrs before I could walk normally after a 10K run.

The surgery was a piece of cake. The recovery is what is annoying as hell. I had to spend a month flat on my back. The issue is that the hydraulic head pressure of my 6'1' frame would cause the foot to swell in *minutes*. I am not kidding, standing up causes the foot to start swelling like a football in just minutes, then it takes days to go back down. The biggest aggravation was the Dr wanted me to come in for an office visit every week, and the time spent sitting in the car, and the office, was the worst thing I could do it. If I had to do it over, I would just refuse an office visit for the first month.

I have a friend with the worst case I've ever seen; His big toe is bent toward the others at a 45-degree angle, and he still has had nothing done for it.