Your feet is one of your most precious commodities. Therefore, it’s difficult to decide to have surgery on them. The long recovery time has people worried about having the procedure. Traditional foot surgery is no longer acceptable. Especially now there is a far better way to get rid of your bunions, hammer toes, and heel spurs.
A bunion is a common foot condition that affects up to 23% of 18-to 65-year-olds and 35% of people over the age of 65. Prior treatment involved invasive open foot surgery. This required a long bunion surgery recovery time. But who can afford to have their foot propped up for six weeks? It’s not workable.
Today, outpatient foot procedures are available. Bunions no longer require a long recovery. Doctors have found amazing ways to keep people moving, even after foot surgery. Different surgeries require different recovery times. Your procedure will depend on your specific case.
A bunion is an angular, bony bump that forms on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe, often covered by hardened skin or calluses. In the early stages, bunions may feel like a minor annoyance rather than a serious problem, which is why many people delay treatment. But over time, untreated bunions can worsen, leading to more pain, further foot deformities, and the possibility of more complex surgery.
Bunions develop slowly, so it often comes as a surprise when discomfort begins. Swelling, redness, or tenderness at the base of the toe are clear signs it’s time to see a doctor before the condition progresses. Bunions can range from mild to severe and may be caused by genetics, improper footwear, or a combination of factors.
While pads, shoe inserts, and other over-the-counter remedies may help relieve pressure, they cannot correct the deformity. The only way to fix a bunion is through surgery, which can be performed using either traditional open techniques or modern minimally invasive methods.
The traditional removal of bunions is why people avoid surgery. Having your foot sliced open, then filled with pins and sutures, can make even the bravest fearful. There are hundreds of different surgeries to treat bunions. You will probably be disappointed with the results when they have traditional open bunion surgery.
In some studies, 25% to 33% of patients did not like the outcome. The authors of the Cochrane review also stated that the three-year post-operative check-up was not enough time to determine the total effectiveness of the procedure. Ultimately, the operation they give you could come down to what your doctor prefers. That’s a dangerous slippery slope in medicine. There are a variety of obstacles to overcome after a traditional bunion surgery, which can include the following.
Wound healing issues occur often with conventional open foot surgery. The idea is to treat bunions with a procedure that takes the least amount of time to heal with minimal pain. One that is much less invasive.
During the 1990s, a new bunion procedure was developed; minimally invasive surgery. Because of the major drawbacks of traditional methods, doctors were striving to come up with a procedure that wouldn’t disrupt the lives of their patients. They knew if they could decrease healing time, they would simultaneously satisfy patients and mitigate risks. There is a multitude of benefits to modern, minimally invasive foot surgery. In fact, many patients find it almost unbelievable that they can walk out of the operating room. Especially compared to the alternative. Other advantages include the following:
Studies have shown that after minimally invasive corrective surgery on their bunions, 85% of patients report a “good” or “very good” outcome, while 10% report satisfactory results. Minimally invasive surgery is the key option for anyone on-the-go that needs to treat their feet.
The longer you wait when you suspect a bunion, the longer the recovery time. After surgery, expect to wear a boot no matter what method you choose. Icing your foot and toe can reduce inflammation and you might remain slightly swollen for a few weeks.
While choosing surgery is always a risk, a minimally invasive technique is the least disruptive. There is no need to return for suture removal or elevate your foot for weeks. Not only are the risks reduced, but the recovery time also is quick, so you can get back to your life the same day.
With minimally invasive bunion surgery, you will walk right out of the operation and continue walking throughout your recovery. Bunion surgery recovery time is much shorter with this procedure. With conventional open-foot bunion surgery, you will not be able to walk for many weeks after the surgery.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery causes almost no pain throughout the operation and throughout the recovery period. If anything, common over the counter pain medication is usually all that is needed. Conventional open-foot bunion surgery is infamous for being one of the most painful surgeries.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery leaves almost no sign that the procedure was done. Very close inspection is usually necessary to find any trace of bunion surgery. In contrast, conventional open-foot bunion surgery usually leaves bad scarring because a cut of 5 inches or more is often necessary to expose the entire joint and bone. Many stitches are necessary and the permanent scarring is often severe.
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