Bunion

A bunion develops slowly, creating a painful bump at the base joint of your big toe. Whether you’re in the early stages of this foot deformity or your bunion causes severe pain, the Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team can help. They offer many treatments, including the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ procedure, performed by their bunion surgery expert, Dr. Long Le. Call the office in Edina or Burnsville, Minnesota, or schedule your bunion consultation online today.

What is a bunion?

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a foot deformity affecting the big toe’s metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP). The MTP connects the long bone in your foot (metatarsal) to the first bone in the big toe (phalanx).

A bunion happens when the bones that make up the MTP misalign. The long bone drifts toward the inside of the foot, and the big toe bone drifts toward the second toe.

These changes affect the joint capsule (the sac that surrounds the joint), causing inflammation and pain and a protruding bony bump on the inside of the foot.

What causes a bunion?

Genetics plays a significant role in the formation of a bunion. Some people are born with a foot structure that makes them more susceptible to developing bunions.

Wearing shoes with a high heel or a narrow toe box can force the toes into an unnatural position, aggravating the deformity. Your shoe choice doesn’t cause the bunion but can make it worse.

What happens during a bunion evaluation?

The Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team completes a physical exam when you come in with concerns about a bunion. They review your medical and family health histories and evaluate the structure and function of your foot.

They also take X-rays, which are done onsite, to assist them in arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

How is a bunion treated?

How a bunion is treated will depend on how severe the deformity is. The team initially takes a conservative approach, providing care that reduces your pain and slows the bunion’s development.

Treatment at Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics can include:

• Shoe changes
• Foot padding
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Custom-fitted orthotics (personalized shoe inserts)
• Corticosteroid injections

The team might recommend surgery when conservative care fails to relieve your bunion pain.

Dr. Le is the bunion surgery expert at Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics. He customizes surgical plans to best meet your needs. Surgeries include the innovative Lapiplasty procedure.

What is Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction surgery?

Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction surgery is a procedure from Treace® Medical Concepts Inc. in Ponte Vedra, Florida. It corrects the entire bone deformity that causes the formation of the bunion. Traditional bunion surgery only shaves or trims the bony protrusion; it doesn’t fix the misalignment.

The Lapiplasty procedure corrects the joint misalignment, fixing the root cause of the bunion. Your surgeon secures the joint to prevent further problems. Dr. Le has advanced training and experience performing the Lapiplasty procedure.

Call the nearest Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics office or book an appointment online today to schedule your bunion consultation.