Private bunion surgery: 2026 cost, MICA, rehabilitation, NFZ

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

Private traditional bunion surgery on one foot most often costs PLN 7,800 (typically PLN 6,300 ‑ 7,850), according to clinic price lists collected by indekscen.pl. Minimally invasive MICA surgery costs around PLN 11,500 per foot. In addition to the surgery, costs usually include an orthopaedic consultation, around PLN 300, preoperative tests and rehabilitation, around PLN 180 per appointment.

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe that can become painful over time and make it difficult to find suitable shoes. When insoles and comfortable footwear no longer help, an orthopaedic surgeon may recommend surgery. There may be a wait for treatment through the NFZ, so many people calculate the cost of private surgery. We have collected prices from publicly available clinic price lists and calculated which costs, in addition to the surgery itself, appear on the bill. The decision about whether to operate and which method to use is always made by a doctor after an examination.

How much does private bunion surgery cost?

Private traditional bunion surgery on one foot most often costs PLN 7,800, while the typical range based on 3 price lists collected by indekscen.pl is PLN 6,300 ‑ 7,850. The cheapest offers start at PLN 3,500, usually at smaller facilities and for minor deformities. The price covers the hallux valgus correction procedure itself.

The bill depends on the surgical method, the severity of the deformity, the number of feet being operated on and whether the clinic includes tests, footwear and follow-up appointments in the price. Details and sources are available at bunion surgery.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

What is the full cost of bunion surgery?

The full cost of private bunion treatment includes not only the surgery itself, but also several items before and after the procedure. A typical list of expenses for one foot is shown below:

Item	Typical price	Notes
Orthopaedic consultation	PLN 300 ‑ 320	before surgery, sometimes also a follow-up appointment
Traditional surgery	PLN 6,300 ‑ 7,850	per foot
MICA surgery	around PLN 11,500	per foot, day surgery
Rehabilitation, 6 appointments	around PLN 1,100	the physiotherapist determines the number of appointments
Preoperative tests, postoperative shoe	varies by clinic	ask whether they are included in the price

Blood tests, an ECG and a foot X-ray are usually required before surgery. A special offloading shoe is worn for several weeks after the procedure. Clinics charge for these items differently: some include them in the package price, while others charge separately, so compare offers using the full list of costs.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Traditional or minimally invasive MICA surgery?

Minimally invasive MICA bunion surgery costs around PLN 11,500 per foot, while the median for traditional surgery is PLN 7,800. With MICA, the surgeon corrects the bone through several small incisions, so scarring is minimal and the patient usually returns home the same day, after 4 to 6 hours in hospital. Traditional surgery requires a larger incision, but it has been used successfully for decades and is suitable for varying degrees of deformity.

Which method is better in a particular case depends on the severity of the deformity, the condition of the joint and the surgeon’s experience. This should be discussed with an orthopaedic surgeon during a consultation, rather than decided solely on the basis of price.

Does the NFZ cover bunion surgery?

Yes, bunion surgery is covered by the NFZ if a doctor considers it medically indicated. You need a referral to a hospital or orthopaedic clinic and must then join the waiting list. Under the NFZ, patients usually cannot choose the method or date, and some hospitals offer only traditional surgery.

The waiting time for bunion surgery through the NFZ depends on the hospital and voivodeship: it may be several months at some facilities and longer at others. You can check current waiting times using the NFZ search engine: https://terminyleczenia.nfz.gov.pl/. It is worth searching in several voivodeships, as you can choose a hospital outside your place of residence. Our price sources cover private procedures only.

Bunion surgery: how much time off work is needed and how long is the recovery?

The length of sick leave after bunion surgery is determined by the doctor and depends on the method, the type of work and whether one or both feet were operated on. People with sedentary jobs may return to work sooner than those with physical jobs or jobs that require standing. An offloading shoe is worn for the first few weeks, and a full return to ordinary footwear and sport usually takes several months.

Rehabilitation helps restore movement in the big toe more quickly. physiotherapist appointment usually costs PLN 160 ‑ 200 privately, with prices varying between cities. For example, the median is PLN 180 in Warsaw and PLN 180 in Łódź.

Physiotherapist appointment: cities from cheapest to most expensive. Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Is bunion surgery worthwhile?

Bunion surgery is worth considering when a bunion remains painful despite comfortable shoes, insoles and pressure relief, makes walking difficult or grows rapidly. Cosmetic concerns alone are not usually an indication, as the procedure is followed by several weeks of reduced mobility. Before a decision is made, an orthopaedic surgeon assesses the foot and an X-ray, while a private consultation usually costs PLN 300 ‑ 320.

Before surgery becomes necessary, comfortable shoes with a wide toe box, toe separators and insoles can provide relief. A podiatrist can remove corns and calluses around the bunion: podiatry treatments usually costs PLN 175 ‑ 215 for a basic treatment.

How much does bunion surgery cost in Warsaw and other cities?

We do not yet have local bunion surgery prices for individual cities, because the clinic price lists collected cover individual facilities rather than entire local markets. The full range in the collected price lists, from PLN 3,500 to PLN 7,900 for traditional surgery, is mainly due to the scope of the procedure and what the clinic includes in the price, rather than the city alone. It is therefore worth comparing clinics in neighbouring cities as well, since travel for the procedure and several follow-up appointments often costs less than the difference in surgery prices.

We do have city-level rehabilitation prices: the table above shows where a physiotherapy appointment is cheapest and where it is most expensive.

How should you prepare for bunion surgery?

Preparing for bunion surgery begins with an orthopaedic consultation and a weight-bearing foot X-ray, which the doctor uses to select the appropriate method. The next steps usually include:

1. Tests ordered by the clinic, most commonly blood tests, an ECG and an anaesthetic consultation.
2. Buying or hiring a postoperative shoe and crutches if they are not included in the package.
3. Arranging transport home, as you cannot drive after the procedure.
4. Preparing your home for the first few days of limited mobility.
5. Booking rehabilitation in advance, as good clinics have waiting lists.

How can you avoid overpaying for bunion surgery?

1. Ask for a written quotation listing the procedure, anaesthesia, tests, postoperative shoe and follow-up appointments.
2. Ask about the price for both feet if both require surgery. A package may be cheaper than two separate procedures.
3. Check whether the consultation fee is deducted from the cost of the procedure if you choose to have surgery at that clinic.
4. Ask about rehabilitation: whether it is included in the price and, if not, how many appointments the physiotherapist recommends.
5. Compare it with the NFZ waiting time. Private surgery may be tempting if the wait is long, but an earlier date in another voivodeship may provide a solution at no cost.

Other procedures commonly arranged privately are covered in our article on nose surgery in Poland. You can find more prices for appointments, tests and procedures in the health category.

„korekcja palucha koślawego – 7800 zł”

HalluxDuo, 2025-10, source

„Operacyjne leczenie haluksów | od 7.900 zł”

Medfemina Chirurgia (Ortopedia), source

„Zoperowanie haluksa jednej stopy będzie nas kosztowało kilka tysięcy złotych. Zazwyczaj ceny zaczynają się od 3500 złotych, jednak ostateczna kwota może wynosić ponad 6000 złotych.”

stophaluksom.com.pl, source

The prices in this article come from publicly available clinic price lists and health articles. Each entry on the service page includes a source, date and verbatim quotation. Ask a doctor about indications for surgery and recovery.

Frequently asked questions

How much does bunion surgery on both feet cost?

Operacja haluksów obu stóp metodą klasyczną to około PLN 16,000 (typowo PLN 13,000 ‑ 16,000), jeśli klinika liczy każdą stopę osobno. Część placówek operuje obie stopy naraz w cenie pakietu, więc warto zapytać o taką ofertę.

How much does MICA bunion surgery cost?

Małoinwazyjna operacja haluksa metodą MICA kosztuje około PLN 11,500 za stopę, czyli wyraźnie więcej niż metoda klasyczna (PLN 7,800). Przy MICA pacjent zwykle wraca do domu tego samego dnia.

How many days do you spend in hospital after bunion surgery?

Po operacji haluksów metodą MICA pacjent spędza w szpitalu zwykle od 4 do 6 godzin i wraca do domu tego samego dnia. Przy metodzie klasycznej pobyt bywa dłuższy, a jego długość ustala lekarz.

Can a podiatrist cure bunions?

Podolog nie usunie haluksa, bo to zniekształcenie kości i stawu, ale może zmniejszyć dolegliwości: usuwa zrogowacenia i odciski, dobiera odciążenia. Podstawowy zabieg podologiczny kosztuje zwykle PLN 175 ‑ 215.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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