A bunion is a progressive deformity of the big toe joint that causes a bony prominence at the base of the toe, pain with footwear, and eventual difficulty walking. Dr. Hanson offers the full range of bunion treatment, including minimally invasive correction techniques that use smaller incisions than traditional open surgery.
A bunion (hallux valgus) develops when the metatarsal bone drifts outward while the big toe drifts inward, creating the characteristic bump at the inner edge of the foot. It is a structural deformity, not simply a bump caused by shoes, though footwear can accelerate its progression.
Bunions tend to worsen over time. The soft tissues around the joint stretch and the joint mechanics change, which can lead to pain during activity, difficulty fitting shoes, and compensatory problems in adjacent toes. Understanding the severity of the deformity guides the choice of treatment.
Bunions cannot be corrected without surgery, but symptoms can often be managed effectively for years with conservative measures. Dr. Hanson will always discuss non-surgical options first and help you understand when surgery would meaningfully improve your quality of life versus when it can reasonably be deferred.
Dr. Hanson often performs minimally invasive bunion correction using small percutaneous incisions rather than the long incisions of traditional open surgery. This approach can reduce soft tissue disruption and may allow earlier weight bearing for appropriate candidates.
Traditional open bunion correction often involves longer, multiple incisions and extended recovery. Minimally invasive techniques use small percutaneous incisions to perform the same bony corrections, with the benefit of reduced soft tissue disruption.
Not every patient or every deformity is a candidate for the minimally invasive approach. Dr. Hanson will evaluate your specific deformity, bone quality, and goals to determine which technique gives you the best result.
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Dr. Hanson will take time to understand your specific situation, review any prior imaging or records, and give you an honest assessment of all your options including non-surgical approaches.