“Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well; …and not today’s pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man.” - James H. West
If you’ve experienced the pain of a bunion, you are not alone! They have always existed and your orthopaedic surgeon will be able to facilitate your healing. Scientifically known as Hallus Valgus, bunions develop as the alignment of the body is impacted by various factors. Bunions are more prevalent in women than in men, and can be induced by wearing shoes that are narrow or constricted. They are also handed down from generation to generation via genetic inheritance, and induced by medical conditions such as arthritis.
What causes Bunion Formation?
When bunions form, the result is the movement of the great toe towards the extremity of the foot. There is a lateral shift that is caused by the shifting of the first metatarsal bone. The shift in the bone causes its head to protrude, and eventually starts to put pressure on the skin from the inside out. The resultant pressure causes the foot to rub against shoes. The protrusion causes a thickening of the skin, and the area becomes quite painful to the touch.
Treatment Options For Bunions
There are a myriad of treatment options for bunions, depending on the severity of the condition. The first preventative measure is the insertion of footwear modifiers. These can include soft insoles that cushion the area. Because the foot undergoes an expansion of the width of the foot, there will eventually be a limit to the shoes that can be purchased. Corrective action via minimally invasive surgery is an option that you will have to investigate. The treatment that facilitates the treatment of bunions is the minimally invasive keyhole corrective surgery.
As a start, you will consult with your orthopaedic surgeon, who will assess your current condition. Via a series of both external checks, and internal checks such as via an MRI or an X-ray, the severity of the protrusion can be determined.
How is a Key Hole Correction Conducted?
The image above, is a case of a patient with a bunion. The treatment for this bunion was a minimially invasive key hole procedure. The case was treated in the day, the outcome was immediate weight bearing, with no plaster required. As medical technologies evolve, there is a transition between keyhole surgery, and open bunion surgery which is the more traditional methodology. Keyhole surgery is proving to be reliable, and is showcasing advantages compared to open surgery. From a cosmetic perspective, there are much smaller scars present after surgery, due to the smaller incisions made, which makes the healing process more pleasant. When open surgeries, the larger scars can induce higher risks of infection.
The additional benefit to keyhole bunion surgery, is the fact that there is minimal disruption of soft tissue, resulting in reduced pain and swelling post surgery. The patients are able to walk much sooner than those with open surgery and recover faster, with the help of physical therapy.
During your keyhole surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will perform a procedure known as minimally invasive bunion surgery (MIS) or minimally invasive chevron Akin bunion surgery (MICA). The procedure will involve the introduction of very small incisions centred around the bunion. The surgeon will then make a series of cuts, removing segments of bone until the foot is normalized in terms of dimensions. The following is the image of the patient, after surgery.
With the aforementioned benefits of the surgical procedure presented, if you have a bunion, talk to your orthopaedic surgeon and identify if this path will be the one for you. Your health is your wealth. With keyhole surgery, you will be able to walk right after the procedure. You will be supported with crutches, and your feet will be covered with soft bandages for approximately two weeks. Within four weeks, you will be able to resume physical activities.
Site Disclaimer: “‘Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.’
References:
Minimally Invasive Key Hole Surgery: https://www.croydondayhospital.co.uk/treatments/bunion-surgery/minimally-invasive-bunion-surgery
