Minimally invasive bunion surgery differs from "traditional bunion surgery," and what we practice at Northwest Surgery Middle is more special than anywhere else!

Patients say they've heard that bunion surgery is one of the nigh painful surgeries. So, many people put off fixing their bunion until they either have hurting with every step, or until they just accept ane pair of shoes that fits comfortably.

Let me ease your fears. As far as postoperative pain, at Northwest Surgery Center, hardly any of our patients accept any narcotics (prescription pain pills) after surgery, and we are in the procedure of publishing research most this.

The patients that come up into our surgery centre typically autumn into the following categories:

  • Had bunions for a long time and want them fixed now.
  • Take a bunion growing and have questions most what to do and when to fix information technology.
  • Had bunion surgery on ane side and it is yet bothering them.
  • Had bunion surgery and such a hard mail-operative experience that they would never accept their other foot stock-still.

Ultimately, patients know when they are ready for a bunion surgery. Even so, in that location are typically a few things that I tell every patient asking, "When"

When should I prepare my bunion?

1) When information technology hurts, or ideally, right before it hurts!

2) Earlier it gets "too bad" or the hurting is "terrible." Or, before yous need to make accommodations to your shoes, physical activities, etc. If you are embarrassed to take people see yous barefoot, then you should fix your feet.

3) Before it affects your other toes. Does it expect similar your bunion is squeezing your other toes to the side? Or is the toe neighboring the affected toe popping upwardly or going under the afflicted toe? You should prepare your bunion before other toes outset to get affected.

Okay, so you think you lot want your bunion fixed. Next question: "What is the best bunion procedure?"

What is the all-time bunion procedure?

Tough question! It typically depends on what kind of bunion you have. You may enquire, "Isn't a bunion a bunion?" Well… non all bunions are treated equally! Some people take baby bunions, Tailor'due south bunion, or a bunionette (come across upcoming blog post on baby bunions).

There are different severities of bunions and dissimilar patient goals. Most bunions autumn into the balmy/moderate category, or the ones that are best treated with minimally invasive surgery. A bunion is like a motorcar tire off alignment (it wears out more quickly). The articulation of an affected toe will article of clothing out more quickly. In other words, it becomes more arthritic the longer you wait to have information technology fixed – so I suggest fixing it when you start thinking near it, before it hurts!

There are hundreds of bunion procedures. Nigh every surgeon has preparation on how to ready a bunion using a traditional technique.

What is traditional bunion surgery?

First, traditional bunion surgery is usually performed at a infirmary under general anesthesia (putting you to sleep with medications through an 4 and the patient needing a breathing tube).

Traditional bunion involves a long incision made either on top of or on the side of the first metatarsalphalangeal joint (MPJ/MTPJ). So, everything between the bone and the pare is reflected. Information technology is freed off the bone, and some os is removed. The bone is cutting, the joint is destroyed, and then it is realigned.

Subsequently this, plates, screws, wires, or some other form of internal hardware is installed to keep the new alignment in place. After this, the surgeon sews the different layers back together, and a bandage is practical. Typically, doctors use a combination of different sutures, which tin often exist removed after near 2 weeks

Near doctors take their patients stay off of their feet for two weeks, up to 3 or more than months! Commonly, a bandage or a kicking is used for support, which goes upwardly the leg, catastrophe just before the knee joint, and maintained for about four weeks to iii months. Afterwards,, doctors may crave physical therapy, mayhap orthotics (custom inserts for your shoes) or other methods to get you support and moving, peculiarly since the patient wasn't walking for that time.

How is minimally invasive bunion surgery different?

Is it really ameliorate?

Get-go, the surgery is performed without general anesthesia. At Northwest Surgery Eye, our anesthesia is very similar to sedation used at a dentist's office. It relaxes yous but does non put you to sleep. A local nerve block (injection like Novocain earlier a dental procedure) is often used. You are awake, listening to music, and never put to sleep.

Next, we typically use three tiny incisions to fix nigh all of our bunions. The incisions are so small that they tin can be closed with 1 minor stitch or a steri-strip. With minimally invasive bunion surgery, we can remove your bunion, brand small fractures in your os to realign information technology, and shift it over. Considering the pes is not opened and exposed, internal hardware (screws, plates, and wires) is not required. Next, the foot is wrapped in a soft cast using gauze and coban. In most cases, patients can walk correct out of the operating room, even going back to work immediately. Or, they tin can go to the mall, dinner, drive their car, or well-nigh other activities bated from operating heavy machinery, jumping around or swimming, since the bandage needs to be kept dry!

Dr. McCartan, if you do minimally invasive bunion surgery, how do yous know what traditional bunion surgery is?

First, doctors train to perform traditional bunion surgery. Less than 100 doctors in the U.s.a. regularly perform minimally invasive bunion surgery.  Even fewer doctors do it without internal fixation. I have performed hundreds of traditional bunion surgeries in the past, and all have been different. I've found that minimally invasive bunion surgery leads to the quickest, near painless recovery, with the to the lowest degree effect on a patient'south solar day-to-mean solar day life during the recovery menstruum.

Why doesn't anybody become minimally invasive bunion surgery?

I wish I knew the reply! The only thing that I can consider is that many doctors fall into a comfort zone. They accept the results without trying to become improve.

I am always in shock when a patient tells me that their podiatrist told them that minimally invasive bunion surgery doesn't piece of work. My judge is that they haven't performed ane or even seen 1. Every bit someone who has converted to most simply minimally invasive bunion surgery, I cannot imagine going back to a traditional bunion surgery approach. I tell all my colleagues to come shadow me. To come see the benefits of minimally invasive bunion surgery. About are just too busy with life, or their do. They are too decorated to open their eyes and endeavour to learn something new and better for their patients.

I am a doctor that volition always learn the newest, latest, greatest, and best way to assist my patients. That is why I have perfected minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe surgery. That is xc% of what we practise at Northwest Surgery Center. If I were to have, let's say, encephalon surgery, I would want to go to a medico that only performs brain surgery.

Would you lot want the aforementioned doctor that does your brain surgery to exercise your colonoscopy as well? Or shoulder replacement, carpal tunnel release? I didn't think so. At Northwest Surgery Center, our focus is on minimally invasive pes surgery, predominantly bunions, hammertoes, and heel spurs. No medico in the country focuses that much on one condition, and we pride ourselves on being the experts in minimally invasive bunion surgery. Come up in, get some x-rays, and become your gratuitous consultation on how nosotros can gear up your bunion. I await forrad to seeing you shortly!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

What is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

Minimally invasive bunion surgery is a surgical process to remove bunions. Surgeons access the surgery site thru 3 small incisions, less than ane/iv inch long. They employ special instruments to remove the bunion and straighten the big toe back to its natural position.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive bunion surgery?

Minimally invasive bunion surgery has many advantages over traditional open-pes bunion surgery. Yous can walk out of the functioning and bulldoze yourself abode, with minimal, if any, pain. Shorter recovery time. Y'all are never immobilized. You are not rendered unconscious. Pre-op thru mail-op takes less than two hours. No hardware is used.

Is minimally invasive bunion surgery worth having?

If your bunion hurts or is otherwise interfering with your life, then minimally invasive bunion surgery is worth information technology. Other situations need individual assessment and it is best to consult with a qualified professional.