Bunion surgery can be a troubling and difficult procedure for some patients. It can also be a very smooth, easy, and highly successful procedure for others. The question is how can we make each bunion surgery be the best possible procedure for all patients?
Which bunion surgery is right for me?
Tiny surgical incision immediately following a MinVasive Bunionectomy™
At University Foot and Ankle Institute, our foot and ankle surgeons perform multiple types of bunion surgery for the differing needs of patients. We choose the procedure based on the needs of the patient, the size of the bunion, the overall position of the foot, and the patient’s recovery needs. All of this information allows us to pick and choose the right surgical procedure for the best outcome and smoothest recovery period for each individual patient.
The minimally invasive procedure that we have trademarked at our institute called the MinVasive procedure has taken over 5 years of work to perfect. It is officially the best minimally invasive bunion surgery in the world.
Disadvantages of previous minimally invasive bunion surgery techniques
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is not new. The procedure has been performed for many, many years with different techniques. Recently, the introduction of internal screw and plate fixation has improved the procedure greatly and outcomes have been getting better and better.
However, the screws and plates designed have either required large incisions (making the procedure not minimally invasive) or have required multiple incisions. Furthermore, previous procedures did not offer strong fixation of the bone cut which has led to a high rate of non-union and improper alignment.
Why the MinVasive Bunionectomy is the best minimally invasive bunion surgery
MinVasive Bunionectomy: before and after image
The MinVasive procedure resolved all of the issues with previous minimally invasive techniques and is done through a one-centimeter incision. The bunion is cut and shifted with direct visualization of the bone cut region resulting in better control of the cut. The bone is realigned utilizing special x-ray technology for the operating room allowing precise positioning.
We have worked with a proprietary company to make a specialized plate and screw system that holds the bone cut together and allows weight-bearing right after surgery without need for casting or crutches.
The big toe joint does not need to be opened resulting in less scar tissue formation in the joint and better motion after surgery. This means less post-operative pain, smaller incision, less physical therapy, and a quicker return to full activity.
Is the MinVasive Bunionectomy right for me?
MinVasive bunion patient immediately following surgery
For the majority of patients with a mild or moderate bunion, the MinVasive procedure is an excellent option. It results in a very small incision line, less pain, rapid recovery time, and a better overall realignment and stabilization than any other minimally invasive surgery option previously on the market. However, very large bunions and bunions related to very lax feet are better treated with other bunion correction options.
If you are experiencing bunion pain, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our foot and ankle surgeons to see if the MinVasive procedure is right for you.
The surgeons are University Foot and Ankle Institute are nationally recognized experts in the treatment of bunions and hallux valgus correction. Their decades of experience and tens of thousands of successful outcomes assure the very best possible outcome. Surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art surgery centers. Additionally, bunion correction technology and pain management have become much more advanced over the years and we’ve been able to make our bunion surgeries virtually painless.
Dr. Baravarian was recently featured in Podiatry Today. You can read his article here.
Dr. Baravarian has been involved in athletics his entire life and played competitive tennis in high school and college. He has an interest in sports medicine, arthritis therapy and trauma/reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He servers as a consultant to the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour, multiple running organizations and several shoe manufacturers. He is also fluent in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Farsi and Hebrew),
Podiatrist Dr. Bob Baravarian is available for consultation at the Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks and UCLA Westwood offices.
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- Weight-bearing lower extremity CTs: state of the art diagnostic test available at UFAI - October 12, 2020
HELLO DOCTOR MY NAME IS ANGELICA.
QUESTION….YOU GET MEDICAL AND MEDICARE…?
We accept Medicare but not MediCAL.
Hello, I had my bunion straightened in 2000. And at the same time one of my toes on the same foot broken and shortened as this was giving me corns under the toe nail problems. My foot has a pin in from the operation back then. What I would like to know is can I have this bunion done again as it has gone back to the original deformity. The most important this I would like to know is, can this be done by key hole surgery and how long before I can drive. I am not in pain just having problems with shoes.
We are unfortunately unable to give specific medical advice to anyone who is not a patient we have seen or done an online consultation with. It is impossible to answer your question except to say that revision surgery can almost always be done.
Here is something to read on a newer minimally invasive technique that we do and it has revolutionized bunion surgery: https://www.podiatrytoday.com/emerging-advances-minimally-invasive-bunion-surgery