While a bunion is characterized by a hard bump on the side of your big toe, you may be surprised to learn that the bump is the result of a more complex deformity involving a loss of alignment, rather than a growth.
This condition, called hallux valgus, occurs when the first metatarsal in your big toe rotates out of alignment and causes your big toe to lean in and crowd your other toes. The head of the metatarsal juts outwards to form a bunion. Hallux valgus is a progressive condition that may not reverse without surgical correction.
This condition, called hallux valgus, occurs when the first metatarsal in your big toe rotates out of alignment and causes your big toe to lean in and crowd your other toes. The head of the metatarsal juts outwards to form a bunion. Hallux valgus is a progressive condition that may not reverse without surgical correction.
What are the symptoms of a bunion?
Early signs of a bunion forming include the following:
Mild pain at the base of your big toe- Shoes rubbing and chafing the inside of your foot
- Corns and calluses where your first two toes meet
- Redness and swelling at the joint of the base of the toe
- Numbness around your big toe, especially after standing for long periods
Not All Bunions Are the Same
As the hallux valgus deformity progresses, your bunion will become more prominent. Minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat bunions of any severity. The Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy allows surgeons to customize the correction to treat your bunion, whether mild or extreme.
Contact an Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy specialist near you to discuss treatment options for your bunion.
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extreme
Conditions Related to Bunions
Left untreated, bunions can lead to other conditions. Some patients may also experience bunion-like deformities in other places on their feet.
Bunionette
Bursitis
Metatarsalgia
Hammertoe
Crossover Toe
Bunion Treatment Options
Many people with mild bunions live pain-free and never require treatment. Others may be able to manage their symptoms with comfortable, roomy shoes and/or shoe inserts, bunion splints, toe spacers, and bunion correction sleeves and socks.
However, these short-term remedies will not straighten your toe permanently or keep your bunion from becoming bigger and more painful.
However, these short-term remedies will not straighten your toe permanently or keep your bunion from becoming bigger and more painful.
The Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy requires just tiny incisions to allow your doctor to realign the bony structures of your big toe while maintaining a healthy healing environment. This approach also helps protect the structures around your toe and is designed to reduce the swelling and stiffness that may come with more invasive techniques.
Don’t confuse these “minimally invasive” procedures with the Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy.
A bumpectomy, also called a Silver osteotomy, involves the shaving of a bony prominences on the outside of the big toe. This procedure is a simple and successful way to treat bunions in younger patients who do not display any associated angular deformity with their bunion.
A bumpectomy, also called a Silver osteotomy, involves the shaving of a bony prominences on the outside of the big toe. This procedure is a simple and successful way to treat bunions in younger patients who do not display any associated angular deformity with their bunion.
Usually called a Lapidus procedure, in this surgery a small section of bone around the toe joint (between the two bones) is removed, and pins, screws, wires, and/or metal plates are used to permanently fuse the bones together. This fusion means the joint can’t flex during the push-off phase of taking a step.
Some foot surgeons consider surgical fusion to be a last resort for bunion correction.
Some foot surgeons consider surgical fusion to be a last resort for bunion correction.
Minimal Incisions, Maximum Benefits
The Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy allows your surgeon to customize correction to address the severity of your bunion. In addition to powerful correction that addresses your bunion symptoms, the Arthrex Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy provides additional benefits:
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