Bunions are a painful condition that causes a bony bump to form on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions occur as a result of imbalanced pressure causing the misalignment of one’s foot, causing the big toe to curve inward. Bunions are commonly the result of wearing improper or ill-fitting shoes but can even be caused by the natural shape of one’s foot. While bunions are an extremely common occurrence in both men and women of all ages, they are quite painful, and when left untreated can be a hindrance to everyday life. Pain most commonly occurs when the bunion rubs against a shoe or against other toes, as well as in the ball of the foot due to misalignment. Bunions can cause pain and swelling around the big toe and when left untreated, may affect the alignment of other toes. Toenails may begin to grow into the sides of the nail bed. Toes may develop corns or become bent (hammertoes). Leaving a bunion untreated prolongs the pain and can lead to other painful conditions and complications, so it is important to see a doctor right away if you are experiencing foot pain or believe you might have a bunion to discuss your options for treatment, such as minimally invasive bunion surgery vs traditional.
While there are numerous tools on the market intended to treat bunions such as foot braces and toe splints, these tools often provide only temporary relief from pain as they do not treat the issue at the source. Unfortunately, the only way to treat a bunion and provide permanent pain relief is with surgery.
Traditional bunion surgery has long been considered by medical professionals and patients alike as one of the most painful medical procedures one can undergo. In addition to the surgical procedure itself being painful, traditional bunion surgery also requires a postoperative recovery time of 6-8 weeks, in which patients are limited in the type of physical activity (such as walking, standing, driving, etc.) they can do. While in the postoperative recovery phase, patients are typically required to wear a cast or boot for a few weeks, as well as care for stitches that are unable to get wet.
Patients who undergo conventional surgery for the treatment of bunions are at a higher risk for a variety of complications, including long-term or permanent scarring, limited mobility after surgery, infection, and nonunion, or complications with the healing of bones. Invasive surgeries such as conventional bunion removal procedures put patients at a high risk for pain and difficulty healing and resuming normal activities long after a procedure is complete, and put patients at a higher risk for complications like infections. Due to the painful nature of the surgery and the extended recovery process, many patients who experience complications during a bunion removal procedure are unlikely to want to repeat the process of undergoing this surgery, and therefore put off the removal of bunions for a long time – sometimes years!
Unfortunately, bunions will not treat themselves, and will only get worse with time. The good news for patients who have been postponing surgery due to the pain and risk of additional complications is that trusted clinics like Northwest Surgery Center offer minimally invasive bunion surgery vs traditional procedures as an alternative.
During a minimally invasive surgical procedure at NWSC, patients are treated in one of many modern surgery suites where only the latest technologies and equipment are used. Under local anesthesia, a small incision is made in the foot and a specially designed surgical instrument is inserted into this incision. The entire procedure is performed through this tiny opening. At the surgery’s conclusion, a small bandage is used to protect the microsurgery area. The entire procedure – including pre-op preparation and post-op recovery – takes less than 90 minutes. Patients can drive themselves home from surgery, and will have to wear a special, post-operative shoe for about 3-4 weeks. Minimally invasive bunion surgery vs traditional procedures are a great option for those who want to ease pain quickly and return to work, school, or other activities without having to worry about a long and strenuous recovery period after undergoing a procedure.
At Northwest Surgery Center, we are proud to offer minimally invasive surgery as a safe, fast, and highly effective treatment for bunions that can have you walking out the front door pain-free in a matter of hours. Bunion surgery is the only permanent solution for treating bunions at the source and easing pain, and with decades of experience in minimally invasive procedures, we’re ready to help make taking care of painful bunions as simple as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our expert team members and to make a plan for treatment that will relieve your bunion pain once and for all.
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