What to Know About Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery and Recovery

Bunions are common, but many people still have questions about what they are and when they need treatment. If a bunion has ever made walking uncomfortable or forced you to rethink your shoes, you’re not alone. Bunions are extremely common, and treatment options have evolved significantly in recent years. Dr. James Hayes, a Southwest Foot and Ankle Associates – Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. podiatrist on the Medical Staff at Southwest General, says the biggest misunderstanding is the cause of them in the first place.

“Bunions tend to be a genetic situation,” Dr. Hayes states. “Usually, if your mother, father, or grandparents had one, there’s a high chance that you may develop one in the future.”

What Is a Bunion, Exactly?

A bunion forms at the base of the big toe. Over time, the bone behind the big toe shifts, and the toe starts to angle back toward the other toes. That can cause a noticeable bump on the inside of the foot and, for many people, significant discomfort.

Shoes can play a role, but not in the way most people think. Dr. Hayes says tight or stiff shoes usually do not cause bunions. Instead, they can make symptoms worse. “Typically, types of shoes can make them feel worse or maybe potentially make it worse,” he notes. “But, if you were going to get one, unfortunately, you probably were going to get one.”

How Are Bunions Treated?

For people whose bunions become painful, surgery may be the only way to fix the problem fully. Dr. Hayes says changes such as better shoes or splints can improve comfort, but they do not remove the bunion itself.

“Unfortunately, it’s a ‘bony problem.’ Changing shoes will only manage symptoms and, hopefully, make you feel more comfortable. However, the only true way to remove a bunion is surgically.”

How Minimally Invasive Surgery Is Different

Traditional bunion surgery usually involves a larger incision, and recovery can take weeks of staying off the foot. Minimally invasive bunion surgery focuses on smaller cuts and a faster return to movement.

“The biggest difference between minimally invasive and traditional bunion surgeries is the incision size,” Dr. Hayes explains. “The more traditional procedures you’d have a three-to-four-inch incision. With the minimally invasive procedure I perform, it’s roughly a quarter of an inch incisions in two different spots on the foot.”

Dr. Hayes adds that one of the most important and appealing benefits of having this procedure is that patients can walk right away, often the same day as surgery. “When you have this particular procedure, you’re walking the day of surgery,” he offers. “You just have to wear this special little surgical shoe, versus a larger surgical boot or cast.”

This shoe features a stiff sole that helps keep the foot supported during healing. Because patients can bear weight quickly, some even choose to treat both feet at once. “That’s another big advantage, too. You can do both feet at the same time if you’re aiming only to have one recovery period,” Dr. Hayes assures.

Scarring also can be much less noticeable. “That’s another of the appealing advantages,” he offers. “Most people, after a few months, you wouldn’t even be able to tell that they had this minimally invasive bunion surgery--because you can barely see the tiny scars.”

Who Should Consider Surgery?

Dr. Hayes says surgery decisions are usually driven by pain, not appearance. “Pain is definitely the biggest reason to have bunion surgery,” he emphasizes. “We don’t want to take a foot or a joint that’s not painful and then do something that causes pain.” Some bunions increase in size over time, but they do not always become more painful. That is why many people can safely monitor a bunion if it is not causing them pain.

For people trying to delay surgery, Dr. Hayes recommends focusing on comfort: shoes with softer uppers that stretch--avoiding stiff leather as well as using protective bunion covers or splints to reduce rubbing. When surgery is needed, he says this minimally invasive technique can be a gamechanger for recovery and improving day-to-day life. When asked if more people are choosing the minimally invasive approach, Dr. Hayes delivers a clear conclusion: “They all say they wish they would’ve done it sooner.”

The Southwest Foot and Ankle Associate - Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. team at Southwest General offers both traditional and minimally invasive approaches, helping patients choose the treatment that best supports their mobility and long-term foot health.