Advanced Bunion Surgery

Bunion Causes, Symptoms, and Types of Surgery

BUNION
(HALLUX ABDUCTO-VALGUS)

Bunions are painful common condition that typically affects the big toe.

Accompanied by swelling, redness, and discomfort, bunion pain can range from mild to severe.
There are a  number of things that can cause bunion pain including:

• wearing tight or narrow shoes,
• having high arches or flat feet
• inheriting a foot structure that predisposes to bunions

The pain may sometimes result from an underlying condition, such as arthritis affecting the joint or a painful prominence. As a result, many cases of bunion pain can be treated with non-invasive methods, such such as using:

• orthotics or specialized shoes
• icing the area
• accommodative padding
• injection of the joint
• taking over-the-counter pain medication

However, surgery may be necessary for severe pain or
if the bunion is causing other problems, affecting daily walking. If you are experiencing bunion pain, talk to your doctor to find out how to treat it.

Symptoms of a bunion include:

• A bump at the crest of the big toe
• Redness and swelling around the bump
• Pain around the joint, especially when wearing shoes
•  Difficulty walking

The cause of a bunion is not fully understood but is thought to be due to genetics, footwear, and activity levels. For example, people who wear tight, ill-fitting shoes are more likely to develop a bunion. Similarly, people who do a lot of high-impact activities, such as running, may be predisposed to a bunion.

Bunion formation is most commonly caused by wearing too tight or narrow shoes in the toe box.

Other causes of bunions include:

• Genetics – some people are more prone to bunions due to their genes
•  Injuries to the toe joint
• Laxity of the ligaments and imbalance of the tendons 
•  Arthritis

Conservative treatment options include orthotics, ice, and rest. Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the bunion and restore function to the toe.

Talk to your doctor about your risk of recurrence before surgery.​

If you are looking for treatment in the Ascension or Baton Rouge Area, call us at

• (225) 756-0034 (Baton Rouge Office)
• (225) 803-1516 (Gonzales Office)

Request Appointment

How do I get rid of Bunion Pain?

If you are experiencing bunion pain, there are a few things that you can do to help ease the discomfort. First, try to wear roomy shoes and have a wide-toe box. You may also consider using a bunion pad or splint to help keep the foot in the correct position. Additionally, you can ice the bunion regularly to help reduce inflammation.

If your bunion pain becomes severe or persistent, you may need to consider bunion surgery. This surgery is used to correct the deformity and relieve the associated pain. There are a few different types of bunion surgery, so make sure to discuss with your doctor which option would be best for you. If you are experiencing bunion pain, please don’t suffer in silence. There are plenty of ways to ease the discomfort, and surgery may be an option if the pain is severe. Make an appointment with Dr. Formanek, DPM, to learn more.

When to get Bunion Surgery?

There is no definitive answer as to when to get bunion surgery. Some people may need surgery sooner if their bunion is large or painful. For others, waiting may be necessary to allow for adequate recovery time.

Ultimately, it would be best to decide between yourself and your doctor based on your circumstances.

Some factors to consider when deciding whether or not to have surgery include:

• The size and severity of your bunion
• How painful the bunion is
• How much does it impact your daily life
• Whether you have other health conditions that could complicate surgery

If you decide that surgery is the right option, your doctor will discuss the various surgical procedures available and help you choose the best one for your needs.

Types of Surgeries

Bunion surgery is an orthopedic procedure that corrects crooked or beside toes.

The four most common forms include

• Osteotomy: realignment
• Exostectomy: this involves removing the bump on your big toe
• Arthrodesis: removing damaged joint tissue and fusing the joint (the big toe joint will no longer move.
• Implant arthroplasty: “artificial joint.”

Revision surgeries may also be necessary.

What are my Bunion Surgery Options?

When surgery is the only way to get rid of the pain from a bunion and return to your everyday life, traditional surgeries have some drawbacks, such as large incisions, sometimes being off your feet for weeks, and a moderate risk of the bunion coming back. Unfortunately, not everyone can take that much time off or is a good candidate for open bunion surgery.

So often, they have to choose between surgery and continue to have pain. However, the Minimally Invasive bunion procedure allows for faster healing with less tissue trauma and less likelihood of complications.

More accessible to more people who may not otherwise be good candidates.

Footsteps is proud to offer the most advanced bunion surgery procedures in Baton Rouge. In addition, we have specially trained staff members who can provide better and faster results than traditional methods.

This method includes the (MIS) Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery.

What is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

 The MIS procedure is different than regular open surgery.

With the MIS procedure, you need 2-3 small portal (2-3mm incision) on the side of your foot.

The doctor will then cut the misaligned metatarsal bone and put it back into place. The bone will then heal in its desired natural position (natural anatomy) via bandaging and immobilization in either a rigid shoe or a boot.

Once everything is in place, we will close up the incision.

What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

There are several advantages to minimally invasive bunion surgery. First, patients typically experience less pain and swelling than in traditional bunion surgery. There is also a shorter recovery time to get back to your routine sooner.

This surgery may be the right choice if you want to get your life back faster, pain-free, and with fewer complications than traditional bunion surgeries. 

Key benefits include: 

• Faster Recovery
• Lesser chances of infection or scarring mean better overall appearance too!
• out-patient surgery

If you are interested in minimally invasive bunion surgery or anything podiatry related, call our clinic at  (225) 706-0034 today to get an appointment!

Learn More on Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

Are you a Candidate for MIS?

You and your doctor decide whether MIS is a good decision. A detailed physical examination and patient consideration involve the following factors;

• General information such as age, sex, ethnicity, body type, and profession.
  • Lifestyle or functional status: Is the patient active or non-active? What are the activities of daily living? Does the patient require transportation and assistance?

• Work-type–do their essential functions require significant walking, standing, or climbing?
• Medical history

• Diabetes?
• Peripheral vascular disease?
• Swelling of the legs?
• Neuropathy
• Unsteadiness?
• Blood thinners
• Cardiovascular disease?
• Respiratory disease history of keloid formation?
• Osteoporosis?
• Arthritis?
• History of back pain?
• Are they slow healers?

Request an Appointment

Dr. Formanek utilizes the latest and most advanced techniques to perform foot surgery in Baton Rouge. These methods allow patients to walk immediately after surgery, get back to their normal activities, and wear shoes that fit perfectly faster.

Bunion Gallery