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. Serving Northern Virginia and surrounding areas.
To find out more about minimally invasive bunion surgery, call or book an appointment online today with Dr. Steven Neufeld, Dr. Daniel Cuttica, or Dr. Thomas Sanders.
Follow @footankledc on Instagram and Twitter or find us on Facebook for more patient transformation photos!
Dr. Steven Neufeld on minimally invasive bunion surgery.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
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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
Actual patient results shown above! -
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.
Minimally Invasive Incisions vs. Traditional Incisions