Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
Author : brent radford | Published On : 29 Jan 2024
A bunion (hallux valgus) is an issue where the big toe of your foot has a protruding bump on its base, on the inside of your foot. The bump develops when the alignment of your foot changes, causing the big toe of your foot to move towards the smaller toes. The pain can be due to pressure caused by the bump on your shoe or if the big toe is rubbing against the second toe. Furthermore, pain could be experienced on the ball of the foot due to the big toe's misalignment.
Can Bunions be Treated Without Surgery?
The most effective, nonsurgical treatments for bunions in Perth include wearing soft and wide-toed shoes making use of a "bunion pad" as toe spacers as well as taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. Toe spacers as well as devices to help keep the big toe separated from the second one may assist with pain, however, they won't eliminate the bunion. The toe's alignment is not going to improve in time without surgical intervention.
Who is the Best Candidate for Bunion Surgery?
Bunion removal surgery must not be performed for cosmetic reasons only. The procedure is done on people whose lives suffer from discomfort and inability to wear shoes, even after attempting to wear wider or more comfortable shoes.
If you've tried wearing more spacious shoes or cushioning, spacers for your toes, or other methods but you still experience the pain that has slowed your ability to exercise, you could be a candidate for a surgical bunion treatment.
What's the Procedure to be Used to Correct a Bunion?
The surgical procedure that corrects a bunion is referred to as a metatarsal bone osteotomy or bunionectomy. There are a variety of methods however all of them involve cutting bones and moving them using screws made of metal for straightening the large toe, and lessen the prominence on the sides of the foot.
Typically, bunion surgery can be extremely painful and require a lengthy recovery. However, some patients benefit from more modern, less invasive procedures that offer important advantages. In the past these procedures were done through extensive incisions, however, at HSS I have developed two techniques specifically designed to treat bunions with tiny incisions.
What is the Minimally-Invasive Bunion Surgery Perform?
A minimally invasive bunion procedure can be done using a burr in place of a saw to cut bone. The cuts can be done "percutaneously," or through small incisions cut by the skin on the feet instead of the large cuts that are typically employed in traditional methods.
With fewer incisions, smaller soft tissues (skin muscles, joint capsule, muscle, etc.) are shattered, meaning that the foot is less swelling and aching following surgery. The result is immediate weight bearing as well as faster healing of the bone and quicker return to activities. I offer two kinds of bunion correction that are minimally invasive and dependent on the degree of the bunion in a patient:
- For moderate to light bunions, I employ the PECA which stands for Percutaneous Chevron Akin method. The procedure involves cutting through the first metatarsal bone, as well as that of the toe's big bone. then repositioning them to correct the alignment
- If you have severe bunions, I will use the (minimally surgically invasive, also known as MI) Percutaneous Lapidus technique. This involves moving and fusing a joint to the arch and cutting the bone of the toe. We can fix the bunion across all three plans (including rotation) with my unique method. While the majority of surgeons utilize an extensive incision, a saw, and large plates to perform this type of correction I utilize a burr and use tiny incisions to place screws. Like the PECA procedure, this one also permits early weight bearing with less discomfort as well as a better aesthetic result and a faster return to sport and work.
What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery Versus Surgical Bunion Open?
Minimally invasive bunionectomy is characterized by lesser pain, quicker recovery, and better aesthetic outcomes due to the tiny incisions. However, open surgery is the most effective treatment for severe deformities of the bunion. Also, it reduces the possibility of recurrence in severe bunions.
I've observed that my patients who use the minimally invasive technique use lesser painkillers have greater flexibility of their big toes and can return to regular shoes in half the time of my patients who go through the open procedure.
Can I Undergo Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
It is possible to determine this by a visual examination of your foot. For instance, observing your posture and taking weight-bearing X-rays from your feet. If you have a significant foot deformity or other foot issues that require surgical treatment that could require an extensive open procedure. It is recommended to talk with an orthopedic ankle or foot surgeon to determine the best option for you.
How is the Bunion Surgery Painful?
The bunion surgery I do at the Perth Podiatrist for Special Surgery in Perth is not much more painful than traditional bunion surgery. Every patient receives the block of nerves which puts the foot in a state of numbness for 24 hours following surgery. Patients are advised to take ibuprofen, as well as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for 2 to 3 days after surgery. A little less than half of patients require stronger medication and those who do need to take under five tablets.
If bunion surgery is done as part of a bigger foot procedure, pain could be more severe.
How Long Do You Need to Stay from Your Feet Following Bunion Surgery?
In every foot surgery, it is recommended that patients stay off their feet and take a break for the initial two weeks. In general, it is suggested to keep the area of surgery elevated for 80 percent of the time throughout the first week, and 50 percent of the time during your second week. Depending on the kind of correction you've had and the type of correction you have, you'll be able to place weight on your foot within 24 hours (for the PECA procedure) or about two or four months (for surgery that is minimally insidious Lapidus procedure). Most patients require at least two weeks off work, except when they are working from their home. They may take longer if they must commute via public transportation or drive.
How Long Will It Take to Heal from Bunion Surgery?
The duration of recovery will vary based on whether you've had minimally invasive or open surgery. In general, minimally invasive surgical patients can walk around in normal shoes within six weeks following the PECA procedure or 8 weeks using the MIS Lapidus procedure (compared to between 10 and 12 weeks following the open surgical procedure). After that, the amount of activity is intensified as tolerated by the patient. The patient is not allowed to run or jump for 12 weeks. However, spinning, biking walking, and swimming can progress according to the level of tolerance that the patient has.
The Recovery Process from the Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
Following PECA surgery, you'll receive a post-op surgical shoe. you can carry your weight within a short time, once complete sensation in your foot is restored. In the initial two weeks following surgery, you'll need to be cautious about your activities and keep your feet elevated approximately 50 to 80 percent during the day to reduce the swelling and allow for the healing of the wounds.
In the initial 2 weeks of healing, you will receive the bunion splint to keep the post-surgical alignment. At this point, you will gradually increase your walking speed and return to normal daily life.
How Many Months After Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery, Can I Walk in Normal Shoes?
You'll continue wearing the shoe designed for post-operative use for approximately six weeks following the surgery. Most likely, you'll be able to wear regular sneakers after six weeks, based on your degree of discomfort and swelling. Most patients can wear shoes that are comfortable and flat as well as all footwear and sneakers by three months post-operatively. Patients may experience a certain amount of swelling lasting up to 12 months following surgery, which may restrict highly fashionable footwear. This is dependent on the person, however, if other procedures have also been done to the feet, like correcting hammertoes, the amount of time required to transition into normal shoes may increase. In general, you'll be able to put on regular sneakers around 10-12 weeks following surgery, and then you will be able to expand your activities as tolerated after that.
How Effective are Bunion Surgeries as Well as What are the Potential Risks?
Most patients are extremely satisfied with the bunion procedure. If the patient follows the instructions for postoperative care carefully The results are satisfactory. There are some risks associated with bunion surgery, but. A delay in bone healing is a possibility in any foot surgery, but it's not common. The risk increases if patients perform surgery too quickly (against the advice of the doctor) and/or suffer from health conditions that could impact the healing process of bone. There may be numbness around the area of the incisions that can be observed following the procedure. The majority of the time, it disappears within 3 to 6 months. In rare instances, it may be persistent. Bleeding, clots in the blot, and the risks that come with anesthesia are not uncommon complications. The recurrence (the bunion returning) is possible after any correction procedure, and the risk is not thought to be elevated for those who undergo minimally invasive bunion surgery.
Do Bunions Recur After Surgery?
Recurrence rates (a bunion recurring following surgery) is around 20% for the life of a patient. Recurrences of a mild bunion are accepted by the majority of patients. The more severe recurrences of bunion pain that can cause discomfort and require further surgery are less frequent. Recurrence can occur if the bunion was not properly repaired before surgery, or if the incorrect bunion procedure was performed. This can also happen when patients fail to follow instructions following the surgery with care. Incorrection ("hallux varus") is an issue, however it is less prevalent. Recurrence or overcorrection could need a follow-up operation (revision procedure).
What can You do to Prevent the Growth of a Bunion?
Bunions are genetic, and certain conditions can make a person more likely to have the bunion recur. Any disorder that causes hypermobility as well as tissue flexibility may cause repeated occurrences. If bones aren't healed correctly, the bunion could be recurred as well. The use of sensible shoes (flat and comfortable) whenever possible can aid in maintaining your bunion's correction.
