Explore Your Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Problematic Bunions

Your feet are exposed to daily physical impact from walking, running, climbing stairs, and just plain standing. It’s no wonder that foot pain is so common and has so many potential causes.

Bunions are one of the most common sources of foot pain, causing a deformity that can also make it difficult to find comfortable shoes. While mild bunions may be treated conservatively in their very early stages, many require minimally invasive surgery to restore normal toe shape and function while relieving painful symptoms.

At Forward Foot & Ankle, our team is skilled in minimally invasive bunion surgery. We use advanced techniques and technology to relieve pain and help you get back to the activities you love. Here’s how.

Bunions in a nutshell

A bunion (or hallux valgus) is a bump that forms at the base of the big toe along the side of your foot. The bump happens when the toe joint is forced out of alignment, causing the toe joint to protrude. Sometimes, a tinier bump forms at the side of your little toe, a deformity known as a “bunionette.”

Several factors contribute to bunion formation. AN inherited foot shape or gait pattern can predispose you to bunion formation. Underlying medical conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disorders, may also play a role, as can foot injuries, excessive foot strain, and deformities, like a shorter-than-normal big toe bone.

For years, people thought bunions resulted from wearing shoes with tight toe boxes. Today, researchers are divided about whether tight shoes play a role or exacerbate an underlying problem, like foot deformity.

Not surprisingly, having your big toe pushed out of its normal position can cause a lot of pain in the toe joint, the midfoot region, and the overlying skin. Many bunions cause stiffness in the big toe joint, affecting mobility and movement.

Minimally invasive treatment for long-term relief

Minimally invasive surgery offers long-term pain relief by restoring the toe joint’s normal position. Recovery tends to be quick, with many people returning to normal footwear within a few months.

Surgery uses one or more very small incisions around the toe joint. The surgeon accesses the joint using special instruments to reshape the bones and place them back in their normal, aligned positions. 

The bones are secured using tiny pins or screws to maintain the joint shape. In some instances, your provider may “fuse” the bone ends to prevent abnormal movement in the future. Next, your surgeon repairs damaged ligaments or other connective tissues before closing the incisions.

Afterward, wear a cast, boot, or other supportive device while the area heals. We provide complete instructions to help you care for your foot and return to weight-bearing activities over time. Physical therapy can help speed up the healing process while focusing on activities to restore movement to your toe.

Relief for painful bunions

Our team specializes in both conservative and minimally invasive bunion treatments. To learn how we can help relieve your bunion symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the Forward Foot & Ankle team in Midtown Manhattan and Staten Island, New York, today.