Historically, bunion surgery has been a procedure that would keep you completely off your feet for at least six weeks at a time — if not longer. Then, it would take another year or so to see your wounds fully heal. After all is said and done, you might be left with a nasty scar or even limited mobility. 

Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case any longer. You don’t have to set aside weeks or months of your life just to get a bunion removed. Thanks to new bunion surgery techniques implemented at Northwest Surgery Center in Milwaukee, WI, thousands of patients are realizing that they can get rid of their painful, unsightly bunions and get right back on their feet.

It sounds too good to be true, right? Thankfully, we have the results and positive patient feedback to prove it. So, what is the new bunion surgery? Is it as effective as conventional methods? How long does it take to recover? Finally, is this bunion surgery right for you?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!

What Is the New Bunion Surgery?

The new bunion surgery, also known as a bunionectomy, is a type of minimally invasive surgery that the professionals at Northwest Surgery Center have been improving over the past 30 years. While minimally invasive bunion surgery is technically not a new procedure, the results you can get with it today are drastically different than those from just a decade ago. 

With the new surgery, a single incision is made to access the bone around the bunion. The doctor will then use a variety of small tools to shave away at the bunion and shift bone positions as needed. No plates or screws are required. Once the procedure is finished, the doctor will put a butterfly bandage or similar covering over the incision while it heals. You’ll be able to walk out the door (wearing a special shoe to protect your foot) and generally carry out normal daily activities. 

How Effective Is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

Minimally invasive bunion surgery is highly effective for mild to moderate bunions. For bunions that are larger or cause extreme deformity of the foot, conventional surgery may be required. However, in the vast majority of cases, minimally invasive bunion surgery is the preferred method because it is just as effective but doesn’t cause nearly as much damage to surrounding tissue. This is why it causes far less pain and requires much less healing. Additionally, minimally invasive bunion surgery has a low recurrence rate, so patients are not likely to experience a reformation of a bunion on the same toe in the future. 

Is Bunion Surgery Right For You?

The new bunion surgery is right for you if you have a mild to moderate bunion and you want to avoid any of the following consequences of conventional bunion surgery:

  • Staying off your feet for 6 weeks after surgery
  • Waiting a year or more for your foot to heal
  • Having screws, staples, and plates in your foot
  • Having wires sticking out of your toes
  • Requiring knee scooters or crutches
  • Needing general anesthesia
  • Experiencing joint loss and reduced movement
  • Waiting until the bunion becomes severe to access surgery
  • Getting conventional surgery done a second time and suffering the effects

Wouldn’t you rather go to a doctor who only does minimally invasive bunion surgery to get you back on your feet? If so, you should go to a clinic where they have performed more minimally invasive bunion surgeries than anyone else — Northwest Surgery Center. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.