Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

Minimally invasive bunion surgery, sometimes called percutaneous buntionectomy, is an open surgical procedure using small, flexible instruments to correct a biltune bunion deformity. A bunion, or more appropriately, a hallux valgus, is an anatomical deformation of the large toe joint resulting in a notable bump and deviation of this large toe to the smaller toes. This article will describe minimally invasive bunion surgery in Brisbane and its advantages.

The treatment is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia in approximately two weeks time. On the day of surgery, the big toe is first immobilized with a splint. A cast is then placed on the toe to immobilize it for the two weeks post-operatory. In addition to the cast, a custom-made cast to take weight off the toe is applied, and the surgeon also may apply a dressing to protect the skin and reduce swelling.

After the cast is taken off, a local anesthetic is injected into the foot. As with any invasive surgery, the risk of complications and side effects exists. During minimally invasive bunion surgery there are significant complications, including allergic reactions, fluid accumulation, edema, bruising, pain, swelling, nerve injury, post-operative foot pain and numbness. Although the risks are rare, some patients still experience pain, difficulty walking and limited ability to tolerate hot or cold weather. However, these side effects can be managed by performing weekly physical therapy exercises and by providing adequate pain relief, such as NSAIDs or prescription medications.

At approximately two weeks from minimally invasive bunion surgery patients are usually able to leave the hospital. The length of time of downtime required depends upon many factors, including the success of the surgical treatment and the progress of healing. In most cases, patients are able to return to their normal activities in three to five days to get back to normal use of their feet. Some patients may require longer downtime for recovery, including patients with deformities or those who have significant complications at the start of the healing process.

One of the more common complications from minimally invasive bunion surgery is infection. The surgical site may become infected after the cast is removed. It is important that you follow all of your doctor's instructions and guidelines for the procedure. In most cases, this infection is treatable with an antibiotic and rest. Patients should not return to work immediately following the procedure and should monitor their recuperation carefully.

While most people will not experience any complications from minimally invasive bunion surgery, there are some risks that are small enough to be easily overcome. For example, one of the risk factors for an individual having a cast removal is that the wound will bleed during the recovery process. This can happen even if the wound is closed, so it is important to ensure that this problem is not missed. A small blood clot may form and may eventually need medical attention. A small infection from the cast or other surgical instruments could also occur and cause temporary skin irritation, swelling and redness.

There are other minor complications that occur rarely but they do occur. One of these complications is the possibility of an anesthetic reaction. While most people will not need anesthesia during the procedure, a small percentage of patients can experience mild nausea and dizziness upon arrival. While these side effects are easily overcome, they should be noted and reported to your surgeon or physician. If these problems persist or get worse after the surgical procedure, you may need to contact emergency services.

One of the most common reasons for having minimally invasive bunion surgery is due to correction of an over-extended or improperly formed bone in the joint. Corrective bursitis is caused by excessive irritation of the bursa sac which is responsible for draining synovial fluid. Synovial fluid contains minerals, salts, amino acids and other substances that allow the joints to function properly. If the bursa sac is irritated, deposits of calcium and other substances irritate the cartilage and cause pain and inflammation. Other symptoms include swelling, severe pain and inflammation around the affected area.

Queensland Orthopaedic Clinic is a group of like-minded, sub-specialist trained medical professionals providing personalised patient care.