Minimally Invasive Surgery

A simple activity like going for a walk can seem impossible when you’re dealing with a painful bunion, but the discomfort of invasive surgery isn’t much easier. That’s why Marta Riniker, DPM and Jeffrey McAlister, DPM, FACFAS, at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute in Phoenix offers his patients minimally invasive surgery for bunion correction. Minimally invasive bunion correction is being performed at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute by Dr. McAlister. One of the few foot and ankle surgeons trained on the advanced technique which is making waves in the community. Call or book an appointment online today to learn more.

What are bunions?

A bunion is a painful bony lump that forms in the area between where your big toe meets the inside of your foot. They typically form over time and begin to stick out, making something as routine as wearing shoes feel daunting.

You’ll know if you have a bunion; it looks like a bulging bump near your big toe and becomes extremely uncomfortable over time. The skin surrounding your bunion may be red and tender to the touch.

What causes bunions?

The biggest culprit behind bunions is wearing shoes that are too small, tight, or narrow, but other common causes include:

• Joint inflammation
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Genetics and family history
• Foot injuries
• Birth deformities

If you think a bunion is starting to form on your foot, it may be time to trade in your heels for flats and invest in more comfortable shoes.

Will my bunion cause any further problems?

While bunions don’t always lead to complications, they can cause permanent damage to your feet if left untreated.

Some of the most serious problems linked to untreated bunions include:

Bursitis

This painful joint condition occurs when a fluid-filled sac called a bursa becomes inflamed between the joints and muscles. While it most commonly affects your shoulders, hips, and knees, the bursae on your feet can also become inflamed.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia causes inflammation on the balls of your feet, which become irritated when a bunion is left untreated.

Hammertoe

An unusual bend in the middle joint of your toe, hammertoe can make wearing shoes, walking, and exercising extremely painful.

Do I have treatment options?

A traditional bunionectomy involves large bone and tissue incisions to remove the bunion and realign the big toe joint, so it can function normally again.

While traditional bunion surgery is often recommended for the removal of very large bunions, there is a better solution: minimally invasive bunion correction surgery.

The procedure itself, which is typically recommended to treat smaller bunions, is similar to traditional corrective surgery in that it involves making incisions into the bone and surrounding tissues to remove the bunion.

The difference is that Dr. McAlister only makes a few small incisions to remove the bunion, which reduces your pain and gets you back on your feet as soon as possible. Most patients feel less stiffness in their big toes and enjoy less scarring and a faster recovery when they opt for this minimally invasive procedure.

Call Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute office or book an appointment today.