Bunion Surgery in Los Angeles, CA

What is a bunion?

A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, typically appears as a bony bump at the base of the big toe.

The bump occurs when the first metatarsal shifts outward so that the head of the bone protrudes on the inside of the foot near the big toe joint.  When a bunion develops on the base of the little toe, it is called a tailor's bunion.

Bunions can interfere with your life on several different levels. Not only can they make wearing shoes difficult, but they can also become a source of constant pain. This pain can affect your ability to walk, stand, or engage in physical activities, thereby significantly impacting your quality of life.

Non-Invasive bunion correction options in Los Angeles 

While our podiatrists are nationally recognized bunion surgeons, they avoid surgery and prescribe non-surgical treatment options to help you get back to your daily activities, whenever possible.

A bunion will never go away on its own but there are non-surgical bunion deformity correction techniques that may help relieve painful symptoms.

To prevent bunions from forming or progressing, consider these steps:

• Avoid shoes with a narrow toe box: Choose footwear that allows ample room for your toes to move freely.
• Wear supportive shoes: If your foot flattens excessively, ensure you have shoes that provide good arch support. Custom orthotics can be particularly beneficial.
• Early intervention: See our podiatrist at the first signs or symptoms of a bunion deformity. Early treatment can be crucial in slowing its progression.

Learn more about non-surgical bunion treatments here.

Which Bunion Surgery Option is Best for Me?

As a nationally recognized bunion surgery center of excellence, we are continuously conducting studies to further the advancement of state-of-the-art technologies.

Since there is no “one size fits all” bunion remedy, we treat each of our Los Angeles patients individually, taking into account their lifestyle, physical challenges of personal and professional life, and their physical condition to establish a treatment plan.

Avoiding surgery is always a good idea and it is our goal with our patients. But when less invasive techniques are unsuccessful and

and the pain from the bunion significantly impacts your daily activities; bunion surgery may be recommended. 

Additional signs include persistent swelling, redness, or pain that doesn't improve, difficulty walking or finding comfortable footwear, and if the toe deformity worsens over time. Our podiatrist can assess your condition and help determine if surgery is the best option for you.

Patients travel from around the nation to take advantage of our bunion surgery advances, including:

Bunionplasty

Bunionplasty is not your standard bunion surgery. Previously, only small bunions could be corrected with minimal scarring because they required only minor bone adjustments. That is not the case with Bunionplasty!

Bunionplasty employs minimally invasive techniques that focus on reducing tissue trauma, which in turn minimizes post-operative pain and speeds up recovery. Here's what makes Bunionplasty stand out:

• Minimally invasive bunion surgery: Tiny incisions and custom-designed fixation systems lead to less disruption of the soft tissues.
• Rapid recovery: The gentle approach allows for immediate weight bearing and a rapid return to daily activities.
• Aesthetic focus: Special attention to incision placement and plastic surgery techniques make the surgical signs barely noticeable.
• Little to no pain after surgery.

Bunionplast recovery

About one hour following the surgery, the patient can walk in a surgical shoe or boot. Putting weight on the foot same-day is allowed. Often, patients have no pain or minor pain that’s manageable with Advil or Tylenol. Pain medication can be prescribed but is not often required.

Patients can return to walking in sneakers six weeks post-op. After two months, you can fully return to recreational activities.

Read more about bunionplasty here.

Lapiplasty

For moderate to severe bunions and the best option for those with joint laxity

Lapiplasty bunion correction is considered the Gold Standard for bunion surgery. For the right patient, this procedure has the highest success rates with essentially a 0% chance of the bunion returning.

This procedure has the lowest risk of re-occurrence of the bunion because the Lapiplasty addresses the source of the bunion deformity: a lax/hypermobile joint between the first metatarsal and the cuneiform (the bone located at the base of the big toe).

Benefits of the lapiplasty bunion correction surgery include:

• Weight-bearing in just two weeks (versus 6-8 weeks with the traditional approach)
• Permanent deformity correction with virtually no chance of reoccurrence
• Regenerative medicines may be added to speed up recovery and reduce internal scar tissue and stiffness
• Plastic surgery closure techniques result in reduced scarring
• On-site CT scanner allows our doctors to detect the completion of bone fusion earlier, which gets our patients moving faster
• Our surgeons work directly with our physical therapists to offer our advanced PT protocol

Lapiplasty recovery

At the end of the surgery, the foot is dressed and placed in a walking boot. Immediate weight bearing is allowed in a majority of cases. 

The patient is seen five days after surgery, and the foot is checked. Sutures are often removed, and the patient is allowed to bathe and get the foot washed. Range of motion exercises have begun and you can expect to start walking in comfortable shoes four to six weeks post-surgery.

Three to four months post-surgery, most patients can resume regular and high-impact activities.

Read more about lapiplasty here.

Holistic metal-free bunion surgery

Our holistic bunion surgery is performed without metal screws or hardware, thanks to the Ossiofiber™ metal-free surgical hardware. Over time, Ossiofiber™ literally turns into bone and ends the need for living with metal screws in your body or needing them removed at a later date.

UFAI’s foot surgeons designed the special Ossiofiber nails and teach other surgeons how to utilize this innovative technology.

Read more about Ossiofiber™ here.

Why choose University Foot and Ankle Institute for your bunion clinic?

If you are experiencing bunion pain or any foot problems, we’re always here to help. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified, top bunion surgeons to learn what your best treatment options are.

With decades of combined experience and the highest success rates in the nation, UFAI has treated well over 200,000 patients. They’re well known as one of the most technologically advanced foot and ankle practices in the nation.

For decades UFAI’s surgeons have been at the forefront of research, education, product design, regenerative medicine, and advancements in foot and ankle care. Our non-profit foundation educates foot and ankle surgery fellows in advanced foot and ankle treatment and surgery and has performed dozens of clinical trials and educated the community for 20 years.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call (877) 736-6001 or make an appointment online now.

Our podiatry clinics and physical therapy centers are conveniently located throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area as our foot doctors are available at our locations in or near Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica (on Wilshire Blvd.), Downtown Los Angeles, and Culver City, to name a few. Our Mid-City Los Angeles clinic is located at 5901 W Olympic Blvd. Suite 509, Los Angeles CA 90036.

Bunion Surgery Los Angeles FAQs

What happens prior to Lapiplasty surgery?

Before foot surgery, our expert podiatry team performs a comprehensive assessment and creates a surgical plan. This is an outpatient procedure performed at a surgery center. You’ll be given light sedation, allowing you to sleep without the need for general anesthesia, and local anesthesia makes the procedure pain-free.

Bunionectomy vs hammer toe surgery what's the difference?

A bunionectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a bunion (a bony bump on the side of the foot), while hammer toe surgery involves correcting a deformity in the toe that causes it to bend or curl downward. Both surgeries aim to alleviate pain and get you back on your feet but address different conditions.

Orthopedic surgeon vs podiatrist: who's the best for bunion surgery?

A podiatric surgeon is often a better choice for bunion surgery because they specialize exclusively in the foot and ankle, providing extensive training and experience in managing various foot conditions, including bunions. Their focused expertise allows them to tailor surgical techniques to address the specific biomechanics of the foot, leading to better outcomes and faster recovery.

Are follow-up X-rays post-surgery necessary?

Follow-up X-rays allow the surgeon to assess the alignment of the bones, verify that the bones are healing correctly, and monitor for any potential complications, such as hardware issues or bone displacement. These X-rays help ensure the success of the surgery and guide post-operative care.

Can custom inserts help delay the need for bunion surgery?

Yes. They work by redistributing pressure away from the bunion, improving foot alignment, and reducing pain. While they don't correct the bunion itself, they can slow its progression, alleviate symptoms, and potentially help you avoid or postpone surgical intervention.

How common are bunions?

Bunions are the most common foot problem in the nation, second only to ankle sprains.

About Los Angeles, CA

As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is known for its Hollywood film industry, Mediterranean climate, sprawling metropolitan area, and cultural diversity.

But LA may be best known for the Hollywood Sign. And you may spot a celebrity while shopping along Rodeo Drive or sipping cocktails at legendary restaurants or bars.

Other Los Angeles icons include the Capitol Records Building, and if you want to escape from the bustle of the city, hit the beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica. Stargazing at the Griffith Observatory offers a chance to take in splendid views of Downtown, Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean.