Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery is a relatively new procedure, and can be performed by Mr Farrar as a day case for most patients. The aim is to realign the toe without the need for a large surgical incision.
The procedure is performed with a series of tiny incisions. The number does vary depending on how much needs done.
Keyhole Bunion Surgery has a number of advantages over traditional bunion surgery, including: –
The bone is cut and moved to correct the deformity. The realignment is held with small orthopaedic screws inserted through the tiny incisions. After the operation the foot is bandaged and the patient wears a stiff-soled surgical shoe to protect the bone. Bandages are removed in the outpatient clinic after 1 to 2 weeks. The shoe is used for typically 4-6 weeks, although this varies for each individual. Movement of the big toe joint can start immediately preventing much of the stiffness seen with the open procedure.
Patients will be left with a series of small scars, from the minimally invasive bunion surgery incisions, and these should heal to be barely noticeable marks over time. Once fully healed, the patient will have a straighter foot and big toe with no bunion, no pain and minimal scarring.
Patients who have had the open procedure previously and the minimally invasive procedure recently have said they much prefer this technique.