At the Orthopedic Institute of North Texas, our mission is to get you back on your feet faster. In many cases, we mean that literally.
Take for example, bunion surgery. For years, Texas patients suffering from bunions had two choices:
- Bunion treatment without surgery; or
- Traditional bunion treatment surgery. The first option may not completely solve the patient’s bunion problem, while the second could be a trying experience with a long road to recovery for certain patients.
We believed there was a better way; so we found one.
We wanted to provide our patients with a surgical bunion treatment option that was less painful and invasive than traditional surgery, but could help heal a patient’s bunions in a more-effective way than non-surgical treatment options.
Proudly, guided by our unwavering principle of “putting patients first,” we became one of the first providers in the United States to offer groundbreaking minimally invasive bunion surgery.
Unlike bunion treatment without surgery, our minimally invasive approach is the most effective way to confidently heal the patient’s bunion problem. And unlike traditional bunion surgery, minimally invasive bunion surgery provides patients a faster recovery, with less pain and scarring.
This innovation is one of the many reasons why OINT is a leader in foot and ankle care. By offering the latest, minimally invasive orthopedic surgical advancements from head to feet, we’re enhancing outcomes and quality of life for our patients.
What are bunions?
Before we discuss what makes us a leader in minimally invasive bunion surgery, you’re probably wondering: What are bunions?
Bunions are bony protrusions that appear on the outer surface of the big toe when it angles toward the adjacent toe. These protrusions are from the abnormal angle created between the base of the toe and the metatarsal creating the appearance of a prominence at the base of the big toe.
Bunions are common, especially in women. They tend to run in families, but the majority of symptoms are caused by the prolonged wearing of ill-fitting shoes, such as tight, narrow, and high-heeled shoes which compress the toes and exert excessive pressure while walking. This is one of the main reasons why symptomatic bunions are more common in women who wear high heels. The condition becomes worse and more painful as the bump grows bigger in size. There are other conditions that can cause bunions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, but footwear is the most common cause.
However, whatever the cause of bunions, the result is almost always the same: pain, swelling, discomfort, tenderness, restricted movement, and even difficulty walking.
Prevention is the best cure for avoiding symptoms related to bunions, so try to avoid wearing poorly fitted shoes that compress the toes. If you already have bunions, there are many bunion treatment options without surgery, including: pain medications, ice packs, bunion pads, and wearing wide, broad, well-fitting shoes.
Yet if those non-surgical treatment options don’t work, minimally invasive bunion surgery is a great solution.
What is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
Before we describe what minimally invasive bunion surgery is, let’s first describe what it is not.
In traditional bunion surgery, the surgeon makes an incision to expose the bump at the base of the big toe. This allows the surgeon to perform cuts in the bone to realign the big toe and first metatarsal. While the results are generally favorable, the recovery time after a traditional bunion surgery can take months. Swelling and residual pain can last a long time too.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery is different.
Unlike traditional surgery, during minimally invasive bunion surgery the surgeon will make a series of small incisions, usually no more than 2mm in length. The surgeon then makes cuts in the bone using specialized instruments and a live X-ray to allow live visualization of the surgery, without the need for a large incision. In fact, oftentimes the incision doesn’t even need sutures to be closed.
While the surgery is simple to describe, the skill required to perform it is anything but. Our founder, Dr. Justin M. Kane, underwent additional specialized training to learn this surgical technique because he believed its potential to dramatically improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Kane was one of the first orthopedic surgeons in the country to offer minimally invasive bunion surgery, and continues to perform this procedure for our patients.
What are the benefits of Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
The first and most important benefit of minimally invasive bunion surgery is relief from the pain, discomfort, and disability that comes from living with bunions.
But unlike traditional bunion surgery, minimally invasive bunion surgery offers many additional benefits as well.
- Less pain: Compared to traditional open surgery, there is significantly less post-operative pain and discomfort from minimally invasive bunion surgery.
- Faster recovery: Patients recover faster and can return to normal activities sooner with minimally invasive bunion surgery.
- Minimal scarring: Because minimally invasive bunion surgery makes small incisions no more than 2mm, patients have less visible scarring and better cosmetic outcomes.
- Lower risk of complications: There is a reduced risk of infection and other surgical complications with minimally invasive bunion surgery thanks to the smaller incisions.
Should I get Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?
Minimally invasive bunion surgery can be a great solution for patients with bunion problems that have not responded well to non-surgical treatment options.
However, there are some circumstances in which traditional bunion surgery may be the best option, particularly when a more comprehensive correction is needed. These situations can include: extra severe bunion deformities, complex foot issues, or when extensive bone realignment is required.
Why you should choose OINT for Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery.
Whether you opt for traditional bunion surgery or minimally invasive bunion surgery, you can be confident knowing that you’ll get the best possible results when you choose OINT.
First, our foot and ankle surgeons will help guide you on whether minimally invasive bunion surgery is an option, or if traditional surgery may be a better solution.
Second, there’s our experience. We were one of the first providers to offer minimally invasive techniques in Texas. That is true not just for bunions, or even foot and ankle ailments, but all orthopedic surgeons.
Put simply, we provide a level of experience and expertise you won’t find anywhere else in Texas. Our high-quality care is complemented with an across-the-board compassionate approach to treating patients, from the first moment you step foot in our office, to our last post-surgery, check-up.
But don’t just take our word for it. Check out these Before-and-After Photos of bunion surgery, and read what our patients have to say about our exemplary service.
With locations conveniently available through Dallas and the North Texas area, you don’t have to travel far to get the orthopedic care you need.
If you have orthopedic needs from your head to your toes, schedule an appointment with us – and let’s get you back on your feet again.