Bunion surgery is probably the most common procedure I execute.  Most bunions can be fixed in about 2 hours and provide great long-term results.  The most important factor is to have a thorough workup and x-rays to evaluate the foot.  Once the foot and x-rays have been done then a plan for surgical or conservative care can be formulated. 

If surgical intervention is called for, our office has an onsite surgery center which can save the average patient thousands of dollars as compared to free standing ASC’s or the Hospital.  Our certified surgery center provides the best possible patient experience and has been functioning for over 15 years.  If you have a bunion and have been contemplating what to do, I can help.  I really enjoy helping people with bunions.  Please make an appointment and we can discuss your options. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

We know that bunions are an inherited trait that can be exacerbated by activities and shoe gear.  Patients can have a bunion on the inside or outside of their foot.  The typical bunion is on the inside of the foot and involves the 1^st metatarsal while the bunion on the outside of the foot involves the 5^th metatarsal.  Either pathology can often require surgical intervention in order to provide long term relief and the primary surgery is usually the bunion on the 1^st metatarsal.  The bunion will usually dictate the recovery and the bunion on the 5^th metatarsal usually heals faster.

Bunions are typically fixed in a few ways, either a surgery at the head of the metatarsal or the base of the metatarsal.  It is important to get an x-ray to examine the overall foot structure to make sure there are no other driving forces that need to be fixed.  The typical foot structure we see with a bunion on both sides is a flat foot that has progressed with time.  The foot often widens when a flatfoot is present to try and create more stability.  The flatfoot may or may not need to be addressed.

Most bunion surgery patients will be walking the entire time after surgery and can continue with modified exercise.  I utilize techniques that allow my patients to be more active and recover faster.  It takes years and hundreds of patients to perfect these techniques and dealing with athletes has allowed an advantage to improve on outcomes.  If you are having bunion pain please make an appointment and I will see how we can best help you. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board Certified Surgeon & Physician

Bunions can be quite painful for many people.  They can begin to interfere with activities and make exercising difficult.  Additionally, it can become difficult to find shoe gear that fits properly.  Most bunions are a genetic condition that is inherited and develops with time and loading of the foot.  Many bunions get bigger as time goes on and eventually require surgical repair.  Surgery for a bunion can be broken down into two categories what are called head procedures and base procedures.  Today I will only discuss a base procedure as this seems to be the most common question lately.

Base procedures are often used for large bunions and can be a powerful tool to correct the foot.  The base procedure is usually further divided into joint sparing procedures and joint destructive procedures.  The most asked about procedure currently is the Lapiplasty.  The Lapiplasty is a procedure based off a technique described by Paul Lapidus.  It involves removing a joint in the foot that is the apex of the bunion deformity.  The reason this procedure is so effective is it eliminates the primary cause of the bunion, the hypermobile joint that initiated the development of the bunion.

Lapiplasty is a tool set that is provided to make the Lapidus bunion surgery easier.  This is a technique that has been utilized for years however this instrument set is the first of its kind and has helped make this procedure more reproducible.  This is the most common bunion procedure I execute as it has great correction and great long-term outcomes.  If you have a bunion and would like a consultation, make an appointment today and I can help.

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

Sincerely,

Brandon Nelson

Board Certified Physician and Surgeon

Bunions can become quite painful and make walking or exercising difficult.   Additionally, shoe gear can become increasingly hard to find as the foot begins to widen.  Most bunions are genetic in origin, however shoe gear and increased pressure can cause an acceleration of their growth.  It will usually get to a point where one needs to consult a bunion expert and come up with a management plan.  I normally consult on more than a few bunions per week and can help patients make decisions with what would be best with there current situation. 

Conservative care may be an option for some people.  I have taken over 10 years and developed a protocol that can provide significant pain relief and help slow the progression of a bunion.  I typically will start with an x-ray and then go through all the options available for an individual patient.  Even if you have seen another physician, it can be quite helpful to have a second opinion.

Surgery is also an option that can work very well for some people.  I believe the most important step in this process is what a patient’s goals are.  It is important to note the only way a bunion can be reduced in size is surgical.  There are many different surgical options, and I will always take you through what is most appropriate in your circumstances. 

If you have a bunion and would like a consultation, please call and schedule one today.  I look forward to helping you.

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson

Board Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Physician

Bunions are by far the most common surgical procedure I perform.  At this point in my career after practicing more than 10 years, I have performed thousands of bunion procedures.  Bunion surgery itself is a highly successful procedure that has great outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The 3-D bunion correction or lapiplasty is a great tool that has accelerated the bunion surgery techniques.  I find the procedure itself can be easily reproducible and has great long-term success.  This is a great tool for large bunions and for patients that have had long-standing bunion deformities.  It is important to see somebody but has experience performing this technique, because there are some technical challenges.

The Lapidus or lapiplasty is a most common bunion procedure I perform and I have found it to be extremely powerful surgical tool.  If you have a long-standing bunion deformity and have had pain and irritation and are contemplating surgical reconstruction please make an appointment.  I will happily review your x-rays and possible surgical options.

Sincerely,

Brandon Nelson

Board-certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

Bunion surgery has progressed significantly since its inception. Years ago, it was not uncommon for patients to stay overnight in the hospital if they had bunion surgery.  Often times patients would spend days in the hospital and be in a cast and nonweightbearing for months.  However this is a very rare occurrence these days and the majority of procedures are performed in an outpatient setting and very rarely is there an extended period of nonweightbearing.  This evolution of bunion surgery has allowed for minimally invasive surgeries to become more commonplace.

Minimally invasive refers to making significantly smaller incisions than we’ll we typically do for bunion surgery.  The average bunion can now be performed with minimally invasive surgery through an approximate 2 cm incision.  The advantages of minimally invasive surgery is it allows for a quicker recovery and increased healing capacity.  The majority of people will heal more quickly than the traditional open bunion procedure and will have less pain.

It is important to note that not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive bunion surgery as it depends on other factors including overall foot structure and size of the bunion.  It is important to have a thorough evaluation and workup for considering bunion surgery, any type of bunion surgery including minimally invasive.  If you’re having bunion pain please contact my office and we will be able to get to an appointment and have your bunion evaluated. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

A bunion is a common forefoot condition that can be characterized by mild, moderate or severe and defined as a deviation of the big toe in the lateral direction.  This condition is progressive and can lead to pain and discomfort with walking and exercise. Conservative measures are not usually successful. The traditional approach consists of an open incision and dissection of the foot that involves balancing of soft tissues and bony deformities.  The procedure itself is highly successful but there is question as to whether more minimally invasive type accessible.

Minimally invasive bunion surgery has been around for years and as this technique is getting better, this becomes more of a promising type procedure.  The literature is full of different types of minimally invasive bunion surgeries that can be used correct the foot.  Some of the most promising new or techniques utilize screw or pin fixation and has become highly successful.

All done under direct live x-ray and results have been extremely positive.  Majority of patients are weightbearing immediately after surgery and can return to normal shoes in 3-4 weeks.  This is because of the soft tissues had minimal interruption and vascularity preserved.  Minimally invasive bunion surgery shows promising results and can provide a fast return to activities.

If you’re suffering from bunion deformity and would like to discuss minimally invasive bunion procedure, call 425- 391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson
Board-certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

Bunion surgery continues to be the most common foot and ankle surgery performed and there are many different procedures available. Not all of the procedures have equal outcomes.  The most common bunionectomy performed in the United States continues to be what is called an Austin bunionectomy or a head procedure.  This type of procedure is primarily used to correct mild to moderate bunions.  This procedure has great outcomes, as patients do well ambulatorily postoperatively.  Most patients will be back to activities fairly quickly and long-term results are good as long as there are no other foot deformities.  This type of bunion procedure is fairly straightforward and can be performed in 30-45 minutes.  Postoperative protocol is easy and pain level is generally mildly and well controlled with oral medications.

The second most common type of bunionectomies are for severe bunions or people with foot instability.  These procedures usually involve more in depth bunionectomy or stability type procedures.  The most common bunionectomy for this is what is called a Lapidus bunionectomy.  This procedure involves fusion of bones on the inside of the foot and provides great correction and increased stability for the foot itself.  This procedure can often involve a period of nonweightbearing or modified weightbearing and usually takes longer to heal from within the previously discusses bunion.  However it should be noted the recurrence rate with this type of bunionectomy is much less and the long-term outcomes are are great.  Again, it is important to address other foot structure issues as these can have effect on long-term results.

If you’re suffering from a bunion or foot pain, an evaluation is essential.  Call the office at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today so I can help.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

Bunion surgery continues to be the most common foot surgery United States.  Tens of thousands are performed annually.  The vast majority of these are performed in an outpatient setting less than a couple hours.  A large percentage of these patients can begin weightbearing shortly after the procedure.

Currently there is a lot of literature around the Lapiplasty which is the device to help improve bunion correction.  The idea behind the device is a 3 plane correction of the bunion this been utilized for over 6 years and on over 35,000 patients.  Lateral last he device helps to correct, cut, compress and fixate the bunion procedure.

First component of the laminoplasty is correct.  The device is utilized to correct the bunion in all 3 cardinal planes by allowing and alignment correction or making any cuts in the bone.  A second component for contact performed via sisal J which allows an average cut between 2.4 and 3.1 mm average shortening.  Third component or compresses utilized to achieve compression of the joint while maintaining the 3-D correction.  The fourth and final fixate is plate system that has been biomechanically tested for multiple complaints stability and rapid return to weightbearing.

I have had experience using the lapiplasty system.  The Lapidus bunionectomy remains one of my most commonly performed surgical procedures.  It has great power of correction for large bunion deformities and patients with significant instability.  If you currently are experiencing bunion pain and are interested in the laminoplasty I am happy to help.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-certified American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Board-certified American College of Podiatric Medicine