What is bunionectomy?
It is a surgical removal of the bunion,which is an enlargement of the joint in the big toe.

What are the causes of bunions?

• Heredity
• Shoe Gear
• Tight Or Pointy Shoes
• High Heels

What is the diagnosis before the procedure?

• Blood Tests
• Bone Scan
• X-ray
• CT Scan
• MRI

What is the treatment of bunionectomy?
Surgical-

• Removal of the part of the foot that is bulging out(Exostectomy).
• Ligaments are realigned around the big toe joint.
• Small cuts are made in the bones and moved into a more normal position(osteotomy).
• Bone is removed that joins the base of the big toe.The big toe and the metatarsal bones are reshaped(resection arthroplasty)
• Fusion of the joint of the big toe(arthrodesis).
• Fusion of the joint where the mid – foot and the metatarsal bone joins(Lapidus procedure)
• Insertion of implant of all or a part of an artificial joint

Implants used are screws, staples,plates and wires made of surgical stainless steel.Titanium and absorbable screws are also used at times.

Non-Surgical –
Bunions can be cured with non-surgical treatment too with the help of wider shoes,orthotics and activity modifications.

Laser- In the laser surgery,a laser beam is focused to vaporize the tissue and helps the water in the cells to convert into steam.Bones are thicker containing less water and so it is easier to vaporize.

What are the recent advances in bunionectomy?
New keyhole procedures are developed which leaves permanent screws to fix the point.Using a small burr and a wire,the toe is pulled back into alignment and small screws are implanted to hold the bones there.The wire is then removed while the titanium screws still remain in its place.

The other technique used is the OSTEOTOMY SPARING MINI-TIGHTROPE PROCEDURE. It is done by making small incisions through first and second metatarsal bones and threading two sets of fiber wire suture that is made fromastrong. Hair thin mesh wire through the openings. After the sutures are in place, they are tightened to pull the bones in proper alignment. The patient wears a postoperative shoe or walking boot.