Useful home monitoring includes noticing whether ordinary shoes are becoming harder to tolerate, whether the second toe is lifting or crossing, whether callus is increasing, and whether walking distance or activity is declining.
After surgery, recurrence exists on a spectrum. Research shows that rates vary with the angle used to define recurrence, and some radiographic recurrence has no effect on pain or satisfaction. Routine anxiety over minor visual change is therefore unhelpful.
Track meaningful changes over months rather than inspecting the toe daily.
Use consistent footwear and standing position if taking comparison photographs.
Seek assessment for new pain, progressive crowding or loss of function.
Do not self-diagnose recurrence from a photograph without weight-bearing examination.
Do I need routine X-rays forever after bunion surgery?
Usually not. Imaging is guided by the procedure, healing, symptoms and clinical findings. New weight-bearing X-rays are useful when pain, deformity or function changes.