December 23, 2024

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Bunion Surgery: What You Need to Know

This is NOT your grandma’s surgery.

Over the last year, many patients have come into the office asking to have their bunion deformity evaluated. They have read many advertisements about new techniques and smaller incisions. Their pain is getting worse, but they are “very afraid” to undergo the procedure to correct it.

All the patients ask the same questions: How will the scar look? How long do I need to be off my feet? Can I drive? How painful is the surgery? When can I wear normal shoes? Most patients do not have time to recover from traditional bunion surgery with their very busy and active lifestyles.

The answers to these questions often varied depending on many factors, such as the patient’s age, gender, degree of deformity and overall health. However, newer techniques require much less invasive surgery, which yields a faster recovery and reproducible results.

At CMD, I perform the MINIBUNION, by Crossroads Extremity Solutions.

This is a minimal-incision and minimally invasive (MIS) technique that requires one small incision, around the length of your fingernail, on the inside of the foot. The bone is cut, shifted and rotated into the proper position, completely removing the bunion and returning the foot back to its proper width.

I have now performed this innovative technique on patient’s from 22 to 72 years of age. Most of the patients have minimal to no postoperative pain, have a small scar if any, and are back in sneakers in two weeks. The recovery from this procedure is very active. Although a special boot or shoe is required for approximately two weeks, the pain is at a minimum and therefore patients are doing errands and other activities of daily living on their own after just a few days.

This procedure does not require weeks of bandages, crutches for four to six weeks, or strong pain medications. In fact, most patients did not take any of the pain meds I had originally prescribed for them.

Some of my patients were so happy with their results they have told me they are more than happy to speak to prospective patients to tell them about their surgical experience and success.

Each bunion deformity is different, and must be evaluated before one can be certain that this technique is for them. To learn more about this unique procedure, please visit www.minibunion.com  for more information.

If you would like to get your ugly and painful bunion evaluated, please call 201-510-3777 to set up a consultation. It’s time to wear those favorite shoes that just “don’t fit.”


Dr. Popowitz is a double board certified foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist. He is chief of foot and ankle surgery at the Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders. Office locations are in Englewood as well as Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Fore more information please call 201-510-3777. Disclosures: Dr. Popowitz is a consultant for Crossroads Extremity Solutions.

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