Board Certified Minimal Incision Foot and Ankle Surgery by American Board Of Medical Specialties in Podiatry
In-Office Minimal Incision Bunion Procedures
Podiatrist, Bunion Surgeon in Hudson/Bayonet Point, FL
Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Management of Bunions
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A bunion is an abnormal bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your toe. The signs and symptoms are:
Bulging bump on the outside of your bog toe
Swelling and redness around the big toe joint
Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe
Persistent or intermittent pain
Limited movement in the big toe
Corns or calluses, usually form where the first and second toes overlap
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Bunions are formed when your big toe pushes up against your other toes. It forces the big toe joint in the opposite direction, away from the normal profile of your foot. Over time this abnormal positioning causes the joint to become enlarged, causing more crowding and joint pain. For some, bunions are hereditary, meaning that the predisposition for their occurrence has been passed down from their parents or grandparents. However, many bunions also have to do with footwear. High-heels or ill-fitting shoes are common culprits. The angle of heels forces toes down into a narrow toe box, causing them to squeeze together. This results in uneven pressure placed on the big toe joint, which eventually causes the joint to morph into an abnormal, hard bump. Bunions can also be caused by:
Inflammatory arthritis
Foot injuries
Flat feet or low arches
Jobs that put extra stress on your feet
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There are conservative and surgical treatment options for the relief of pain caused by bunions. The best person to evaluate which option is best for you is a podiatrist. Many treatment options are determined by the severity of your pain.
One type of conservative treatment is a bunion pad. Bunion pads work to alleviate pain by cushioning the bunion so it doesn’t rub against your shoes. Wearing orthotics in your shoes in another option for some. The uneven pressure that causes bunions is distributed more evenly when wearing orthotics that support your whole foot. These conservative methods can help to reduce pain and prevent the bunion from worsening.
Once you have been properly evaluated by our Foot Doctor at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle will be able to determine whether conservative or surgical methods are best for you. Some of the most severe bunions may require a bunionectomy, which is a surgical procedure that repairs the toe joint, aligning it correctly. However, surgery is always treated as a last option.
Considering Bunion Surgery?
Dr. Kales is your Minimal Incision Bunion Surgeon in Hudson/Bayonet Point & Spring Hill
Board Certified Minimal Incision Foot and Ankle Surgery by American Board Of Medical Specialties in Podiatry
Diplomate American Board Of Ambulatory Foot Surgery
What Is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
In-Office Minimal Incision Bunion Procedures
Cost Savings
No Hardware, Pins, Screws or Metal
Walk In and Walk Out Same Day
Minimally invasive surgery is performed through small incisions in the skin
During an operation, your doctor will cut and shift the lower bone in your big toe over to improve the alignment of your lower joint (the metatarsophalangeal or MTP joint).
The correction is held in place with zero-profile screws to reduce the amount that you feel the hardware.
Minimally invasive surgery allows overall cosmetic and mechanical improvement of your foot, while maintaining or even improving range of motion at your big toe joint.3,4
What Should I Expect After Bunion Surgery?
Dr. Kales will decide the best recovery options for you. You should expect to keep the area bandaged for 1 to 2 weeks. Some people will need to keep weight off the toe area immediately after surgery while others may partially bear weight. Our Foot doctor may suggest that you wear a special boot or hard shoe to protect your foot. By 4 to 6 weeks you may be able to transition to stiff-soled shoes. Expect to resume light exercise like jogging, biking, or swimming at 8 to 10 weeks if there is no pain and X-rays show full bone healing.
Finally, Dr. Kales may advise a full return to normal activities and normal shoe wear (including high heels) at 12 to 16 weeks. Please be aware that surgery and recovery protocol may vary and any questions pertaining to the surgical procedure or postoperative protocol should be discussed with the doctor.
It is always our objective to get our patients back to work quickly, back to the recreational activities they love and to restore the quality of life that they deserve. Schedule a consultation with Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle for a complete evaluation of your bunion condition.