Bunion Basics
The word “bunion” actually comes from the Latin term for turnip. Bunions got their name because when they become really inflamed and red, they look like a turnip. Click on the video below to hear Dr. Garras explain what bunions are and how they can be treated with minimally invasive bunion surgery.
A bunion is not just a growth that grows over the side of the big toe. Rather, it is also a separation of the first and second toe knucklebones. The big toe actually tries to stay in its natural place, which is what creates a bunion. Symptoms can include inflammation and joint pain.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Bunions
When we alleviate the symptoms of bunions without any surgery, we recommend patients try the following:
- Wear wider shoes
- Use a bunion splint
- Use a bunion guard
Surgical Treatment Options for Bunions
In terms of correcting a bunion deformity, you can’t do that without surgery. Surgery for a bunion depends on several factors:
- How bad the bunion is
- If there is arthritis in the joint
- If you have any instability of the middle of the foot
One of the newer techniques in bunion surgery is minimally invasive bunion surgery. This is done by making two or three small poke-holes around the foot, and creating what’s called an osteotomy. This means we would break the bone and shift it over. By doing so we actually correct this distance between the first and second knucklebones.
Surgery for your bunion may be appropriate for you, or it may not. It all depends on what your x-rays show. Our orthopedic surgeons have decades of experience successfully performing deformity corrections for bunions, and we are committed to providing exceptional care throughout preparation to recovery and beyond.
