Did you know that over 30% of adults in the United States will develop bunions at some point in their lives? Bunions can cause discomfort, pain, and difficulty with daily activities—leading many to consider bunion removal surgery to address the issue.
At Proactive Podiatry in Wexford and Monaca, we specialize in providing expert podiatric care tailored to your individual needs. Led by Dr. Latika Hinduja, our practice offers innovative, patient-focused solutions to help you live pain-free. Whether you’re dealing with chronic foot pain or seeking proactive treatment options, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule an appointment with us today to take your first step toward relief.
Keep reading to learn more about how minimally invasive bunion surgery works and how it could benefit you.
What is Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy?
A minimally invasive bunionectomy or metatarsal osteotomy is a surgical procedure that corrects bunions, also known as hallux valgus. It is an advanced technique that involves making small incisions and using specialized instruments to remove the bony bump on the side of the big toe joint and realign the toe.
This procedure differs from traditional bunion surgery, which involves larger incisions and can result in longer recovery times and more scarring.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
There are several advantages to choosing minimally invasive bunion surgery over traditional methods, including:
- Faster Recovery Time: Unlike traditional bunion surgery, minimally invasive bunionectomy allows you to walk immediately after surgery and get back on your feet faster. The smaller incisions result in less trauma to the foot, promoting quicker healing and a smoother recovery process.
- Minimal Scarring: Smaller incisions mean smaller scars. This is especially beneficial for those who are conscious about their appearance.
- Reduced Risk of Complications: With minimally invasive surgery, there is a lower risk of complications like infection and nerve damage.
- Less Pain: Because there is less trauma to the foot, minimally invasive bunion surgery typically results in less pain and discomfort during recovery.
- Shorter Recovery Time: Minimally invasive surgery allows for a quicker recovery time, meaning you can get back to your daily activities sooner.
Minimally invasive surgery is ideal for individuals seeking an effective, less disruptive way to relieve pain and restore the natural function and shape of their feet.
How Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Works
At Proactive Podiatry, Dr. Latika Hinduja specializes in performing minimally invasive bunion surgeries using state-of-the-art techniques. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Preparation and Anesthesia
Dr. Hinduja begins by numbing the foot with local anesthesia, ensuring you remain comfortable throughout the procedure without the risks of general anesthesia. The surgical site is meticulously cleaned and sterilized to maintain a safe environment.
Step 2: Small Incisions
Using her expertise in advanced podiatric techniques, Dr. Hinduja makes tiny incisions, typically around 2-5 mm, near the bunion. This allows precise access to the affected joint and bone while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.
Step 3: Bone and Joint Correction
Dr. Hinduja uses precise, minimally invasive techniques to correct the alignment of the foot. This process involves:
- Metatarsal Repositioning: A small cut is made in the first metatarsal bone. The head of the big toe bone is carefully repositioned to reduce the bony prominence, restoring the natural contour of the foot.
- Proximal Phalanx Adjustment: A wedge of bone is removed from the first proximal phalanx to align the big toe with the repositioned metatarsal, ensuring proper joint alignment.
- Outer Bone Smoothing: Any protruding bone is gently trimmed and reshaped to create a smooth, natural arc.
Dr. Hinduja’s meticulous attention to detail ensures the joint and surrounding structures are realigned to restore both functionality and aesthetics. This approach minimizes trauma while optimizing long-term outcomes.
Step 4: Closure and Dressing
Once the corrections are complete, the incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips, and a protective dressing is applied. Patients can typically return home the same day with personalized post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Recovery Process After Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
At Proactive Podiatry, we prioritize your mobility and comfort during recovery. With minimally invasive bunion surgery, most patients can walk immediately after the procedure and enjoy a faster, less painful recovery compared to traditional methods.
Here’s what you can expect during your recovery journey:
Week 1
Sutures or adhesive strips will typically remain in place during this period to protect the surgical site. You may experience mild swelling or bruising, but these symptoms are usually minimal. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess your progress.
Weeks 2–3
By this stage, swelling and bruising should have significantly reduced, and many patients are able to transition to supportive shoes. Light daily activities can usually be resumed, but rigorous exercise and heavy impact should still be avoided.
Weeks 4–6
Patients can begin to gradually increase activity levels, including light exercise such as walking or swimming. You may also start wearing most types of shoes, as long as they are comfortable and supportive.
Beyond Week 6
Most patients are fully recovered and able to resume normal activities, including higher-impact exercises, by this stage. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Hinduja will help ensure that your healing is on track and that the surgical outcomes meet your expectations.
The exact recovery timeline will depend on individual healing rates, but most patients can return to regular activities within six weeks. Dr. Hinduja will schedule follow-up appointments as needed to monitor your progress and ensure optimal results.
Are You a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is an excellent option for many patients, but it’s not suitable for everyone. Candidates for this advanced procedure typically include individuals who:
- Experience severe bunion pain and discomfort
- Have a family history of bunions
- Have mild to moderate bunion deformities
- Are in good overall health without underlying medical conditions that may interfere with the healing process.
If you’re unsure about whether bunion correction surgery is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hinduja to discuss your options.
Why Choose Proactive Podiatry for Your Bunionectomy?
At Proactive Podiatry, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Hinduja is a board-certified podiatrist with extensive experience in performing minimally invasive bunion correction surgeries.
Here’s why patients trust us:
- Experienced Specialist: Dr. Hinduja has extensive experience in performing surgical bunion correction with excellent outcomes.
- Advanced Techniques: We utilize the latest surgical methods to ensure precise correction and minimal downtime.
- Personalized Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle for optimal results.
- Faster Recovery: Our minimally invasive approach results in smaller incisions, less scarring, and quicker recovery times.
- Comprehensive Support: From your initial consultation to post-surgery care, our team is with you every step of the way.
Here's what a satisfied patient had to say about their experience at Proactive Podiatry:
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'The doc and staff here are phenomenal. They got us in really quickly even as a new patient. We received a call back to schedule from the online form we filled out at record speed. We were in and out in under an hour even though the office was very busy with other patients at that time. We had a drastic improvement to my daughter's toe in one visit and got scheduled for our follow up before we left the office. Everyone was really nice, and everything was very clean. The new patient paperwork can be done online which is a huge time saver. We highly recommend and have already recommended it to someone else we know who has foot issues.'
-Heather
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'What an exceptionally friendly, professional experience! She explained everything that was involved with the procedure she performed.'
-Brian
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'Dr Hinduja and her staff are amazing. Very caring and professional. I feel very fortunate to have them looking out for my health. I highly recommend this practice.'
-David
Step Into Comfort with Proactive Podiatry
Minimally invasive bunion surgery offers a faster, less painful solution to correcting bunions, helping you regain mobility and confidence in your daily life. At Proactive Podiatry, Dr. Hinduja is here to help you regain your comfort and confidence.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Hinduja today to explore how bunionectomy could benefit you. Trust our expertise to help you walk confidently and comfortably again.
