Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is an alternative to traditional surgery that reduces post-surgical scarring, swelling, and pain and offers a faster recovery.
To find out more about minimally invasive bunion surgery, call or book an appointment online today.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
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Foot & AnkleArlington, Falls Church -
Foot & AnkleArlington, Falls Church -
Foot & AnkleArlington, Falls Church -
Foot & AnkleArlington, Falls Church
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Q & A
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What is a Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery? Back to top
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is an alternative to traditional surgery that can reduce post-surgical scarring, swelling, pain and offers patients the easiest recovery.
Advantages of Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery:
- No general anesthesia (our anesthesia is similar to dentistry sedation – relaxed but not put to sleep
- Minimal scar tissue, less post-surgical pain, scarring and swelling and faster healing
- No damage to the tissues crossing the big toe joint, eliminating the complication of joint stiffness
- After surgery the foot is wrapped in a soft dressing; no cast & no crutches needed
- After surgery patients can walk right away, go back to work soon, drive a car, etc...Most patients transition to regular shoes by 6 weeks.
- We are able to obtain the same results we had before with traditional surgery but with far less pain
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What is a bunion? Back to top
A bunion occurs when the big toe turns inwards toward the 2nd toe and forms a bump on the foot.
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What is a bunionectomy? Back to top
A bunionectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove a bunion and can help relieve pain.
Types of bunionectomy procedures:
- The decision to perform one type of surgery or another is based on the severity of the bunion deformity and the presence of arthritis in the big toe joint.
- Bunion is rarely treated by simply “shaving” down the bump on the side of the big toe: if done alone, the deformity will recur and the bunion pain will return
- The bunion is typically corrected by cutting the 1st metatarsal (which is called an osteotomy) and then re-aligning the bone.
- Typically the re-aligned bone is held in place with screws and/or a plate and screws
- The osteotomy (bone cut) can be made at the end of the 1st metatarsal (distal osteotomy) or at the base of the 1st metatarsal (proximal osteotomy)
- One of the most common distal osteotomies is called a Chevron or Austin osteotomy. A screw is used to hold the re-aligned 1st metatarsal and following the surgery, weight bearing is permitted in a special surgical shoe until the bone is healed
- One of the most common proximal osteotomies, used for more severe deformities is a “ludloff ” or a “lapidus”. These osteotomies are held in place using a special plate and screws
- If the big toe has arthritis as well as a bunion, an osteotomy is not usually performed. The bunion and arthritis is corrected with a fusion of the joint or simply removing a portion of the joint and replacing it with an implant.
