Minimally Invasive Alternative Bunion Surgery

If you have a bunion, you no doubt want relief from the pain, discomfort, and unsightliness caused by this common condition.

But you probably don’t want to undergo surgery to fix the problem if non-surgical or minimally invasive alternatives could do the job.

At JAWS Podiatry, we know that nobody wants to undergo surgery if they don’t have to.

That is why we always explore non-surgical treatment options if we believe they can provide our patients with an effective solution to their foot and ankle issues.

Fortunately, there are several minimally invasive alternatives to bunion surgery that can help many of our patients living with bunion pain.

Non-Surgical Alternatives To Treat Bunions

For many patients, we can provide effective and lasting relief from bunion pain with non-surgical treatments and lifestyle changes, including:

  • Loose or open shoes. When you confine your foot to a tight-fitting or narrow shoe, it can increase bunion pain. Overly restrictive footwear or high heels push the toes forward, causing pressure and friction. Switch to open-toed or looser fitting shoes whenever possible and try to select shoes made of leather rather than synthetic materials.
  • Icing. Applying cold helps constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, which is the source of much of your bunion pain. Use an icepack or even a bag of frozen peas in a washcloth and apply it to the toe joint for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications. To further minimize swelling and reduce pain, pick up some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. For severe bunions, a cortisone injection directly to the joint can be a more powerful way to reduce inflammation.
  • Protective pads. Insert a gel or moleskin pad into your shoes to cushion the bunion and protect it from friction. 
  • Orthotics.  Molded shoe inserts that you can buy at your local pharmacy can help correct the mechanics that cause a bunion to form. Custom orthotics made specifically for your feet may be the next step if OTC products don’t work.

What Is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

Invasive surgery is what you typically picture when you think of surgery.

You’re admitted to a hospital, where you are sedated, wheeled into an operating room, and given general anesthesia to put you to sleep.

The surgeon will then make an incision, use instruments to do extensive repair work inside the body, perhaps including the implantation of devices such as pins or screws, and close the incision.

Surgery like this comes with several disadvantages and risks. These include significant recovery time, pain and discomfort, risk of infection or complications, and the disruption of soft tissue.

Minimally-invasive bunion surgery, on the other hand, reduces or eliminates many of these unwelcome aspects of traditional surgery. 

Our physicians, widely recognized as leaders in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, use specially designed surgical instruments and devices, along with an advanced imaging system called a fluoroscope, to see inside the effected area without needing to make large incisions. 

Only local anesthesia is required, and our surgeons perform their procedures on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art, comfortable, in-office surgical suite. After surgery, our patients can go home to rest and recover.

We perform minimally invasive bunion surgery on a regular basis with tremendous success, allowing our patients to live without bunion pain and without the need for traditional surgery.

We use specially designed surgical instruments and devices, along with an advanced imaging system called a fluoroscope, to see inside the effected area without needing to make large incisions.

Our surgeons perform their procedures on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art, comfortable, in-office surgical suite and are widely recognized as leaders in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Living With Bunion Pain? Schedule an Appointment Today!

At JAWS Podiatry, we utilize the most advanced and non-invasive techniques to reduce pain and speed recovery for individuals suffering from foot and ankle problems, including bunions.

If you’d like to learn more about the innovative and effective treatments we provide or how we can help you with your foot and ankle issues, please call us at (954) 922-7333 or contact us online to schedule a virtual or in-person consultation today!