Bunions, also known as “hallux valgus” in Latin to mean, big toe turned away, is a deformity of the big toe. The enlargement of the base of the big toe forms slowly over the years due to abnormal pressure or motion. On the other hand, a bunionette is a deformity on the small toe which grows after years of external pressure.
Living with the chronic pain caused by a bunion can turn daily activities, such as walking or standing, into a nightmare. The big toe carries most of your weight, so the continuous pressure on the base of your big toe can cause unbearable pain even after using over-the-counter drugs to relieve pain.
It’s time for bunion surgery after unsuccessful attempts to deal and cope with bunions. A new minimally invasive bunion surgery technique addresses the root cause of bunion development. The surgery goes a long way in helping you regain your previous lifestyle and enjoying simple pleasures like putting on your favorite footwear.
The Connection Between Bunions and Women
Bunions develop when susceptible feet are repeatedly squeezed into narrow, pointed-toe, or tight shoe wear. The shoe’s structure will cause the big toe to push against the other toes, diving over or under them, which results in the base of the big toe shifting from its original form.
Bunions can be hereditary, as some foot types are more prone to bunions than others due to their structure and shape. Also, narrowed toe footwear or tight-fitting shoes such as high heels can increase the chances of women developing bunions.
The choice of shoes among women makes them 10X more prone to bunions than men and children. For example, high heels wreak havoc on a woman’s foot structure because they tend to put more pressure on the base of the toes, resulting in a compressed big or small toe.
Factors Influencing The Type of Bunion Surgical Procedure Used
Corrective bunion surgery is not only for cosmetic purposes but also to reduce the effects for people living with bunion, such as difficulty in wearing shoes or chronic pain affecting their daily activities.
The medical term for bunion surgery is bunionectomy or metatarsal osteotomy. The surgical procedures entail various techniques, but all involve the incision and repositioning of the bone with the help of metal screws to straighten the big toe. The surgery reduces the foot’s side bump, giving it a normal foot structure.
At Frankel Foot and Ankle Center, we perform the procedure by first assessing the severity of the bunion, your general health, age, activity level, and the condition of the connective tissues and bones. The type of bunion also influences the surgical procedure to be undertaken. There are 4 types of bunion:
Mild Bunion
The surgery involves a podiatrist removing the enlarged portion of the bone and realigning the ligaments, tendons, and muscles surrounding the joint.
Moderate Bunion
The foot doctor will treat a moderate bunion by cutting the bone and shifting it to its original position. However, cutting the bone will depend on the bunion’s location and severity. The surrounding ligaments and tendons will also require to be repositioned.
Severe Bunion
A podiatrist will perform surgery by removing the enlarged bone by cutting and realigning the bone to the correct position. The surgery also involves the repositioning of the surrounding tendons and ligaments.
Arthritic Bunion or Big Toe Joint
Over-the-counter medication can help reduce swelling and pain, but the method only provides temporary relief. The joints may be beyond repair, and the bones may need to be fused to allow healing.
The surgery eliminates joint movement, resulting in reduced pain in the joint. At times, you may need joint replacement implants to reconstruct the big toe joint.
How Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Works
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is performed by a podiatrist using an orthopedic burr instead of a saw to cut the bone. The burr allows the incision to be smaller on the skin as compared to deep incisions used in traditional bunion surgery techniques.
A minimally invasive surgery disrupts fewer soft tissues, such as the joint capsule, muscles, and skin. As a result, the foot is less swollen and painful after the surgery. In addition, a less swollen foot gives room for immediate weight-bearing, which leads to faster bone healing and quickens the overall foot healing process.
Depending on the bunion’s severity, Dr. Frankel at Frankel Foot and Ankle Center can use one of the following techniques:
- The Percutaneous Chevron Akin (PECA) technique is used to correct mild to moderate bunions. The method involves cutting the first metatarsal bone and the big toe bone to reposition them to the correct alignment.
- Minimally invasive Lapidus surgery involves cutting the bone to change its position. Then, fuse a joint closer to the arch. The surgery allows minimal joint movement, which results in lesser pain and has a better cosmetic outcome.
Open surgery is another form of surgery for bunions. It uses larger incisions to correct a severe toe deformity caused by a bunion. However, open surgery can be associated with pain and a more extended healing period.
Recovering After a Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
After a bunion surgery, the foot doctor will provide you with the needed instructions on how to handle your foot to enable faster recovery. After undergoing PECA surgery, a podiatrist will fit you with a special surgical post-operation shoe. After two weeks, you will go back to your podiatrist to get a bunion splint to help you maintain the post-surgical alignment.
Minimally invasive Lapidus surgery takes up to eight weeks, while PECA surgery takes six weeks to heal. Regardless of the surgery type, it’s advisable to keep weight off the foot that has undergone surgery by keeping it elevated 80% of the time during the first week of recovery and 50% during the second week.
How to Prevent Bunions From Growing After Surgery
After corrective bunion surgery, there’s a possibility of bunion recurrence. To reduce the chances of getting bunions again:
- Wear shoes that fit and are comfortable
- For women, limit wearing high heels
- Exercise to strengthen your feet
- If there is a genetic disposition of bunions in your family, keep track of your feet as you age
Correct Your Bunion and Start Living Pain Free By Visiting Frankel Foot and Ankle Center
Contact us today to schedule an appointment if you need more information about our minimally invasive bunion surgery. We offer excellent podiatrist services using the latest advances in diagnostic technology for regenerative and innovative surgical approaches. You can contact any of our offices in the tri-state area: Milford, PA, Middletown, NY, Warwick, NY.
