bunion surgery
Displaying items by tag: bunion surgery
Dr. Brandon Nelson, Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon, Discusses Bunion Surgery
Bunion pain is a common presentation at my clinic. We see a large percentage of bunion patients wanting consultations for surgery. Bunion surgery is highly successful and moderate techniques provide decrease healing times and decreased postoperative pain. It is important to understand that there are many different types of bunion surgery that can be performed. The primary indicator for bunion surgery selection is the overall foot structure and the size of the bunion.
Over the years I have seen many different types of bunion surgery come in and out of favor. It is important to realize there are a few procedures that have been around for years and continue to be the work courses of bunion surgery. The most common bunion surgery performed in the United States is was called a head procedure or an Austin type bunionectomy.
The Austin bunionectomy involves repairing of the small some medium size bunion. It consists of cutting the first metatarsal head in a Chevron type fashion and then moving the head in a lateral position towards the fifth metatarsal. Additionally some bone is typically shaved off the medial aspect or the inside of the first metatarsal head and some soft tissue is released laterally. This is a great procedure provides wonderful correction in the majority of patients are able to fully walk after this procedure.
If you have bunion pain and are interested in having a surgical consultation please make an appointment today or give us a call at 425-391-8666 and I’ll happily help get it fixed.
Sincerely,
Board-certified American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Board-certified American Board of Podiatric Medicine
Dr Brandon Nelson, a Board-Certified Physician and Surgeon, Discusses What His Patients Experience After Bunion Surgery
I have now been operating for about 15 years and can tell you bunion surgery has really changed. In the average week I correct 3-5 bunions and have now operated on 1000’s of bunions. Some bunions are small, and some are large and very complex, but all can be fixed. I continue to learn and research new techniques, and these have afforded me opportunities and skills to provide great outcomes and minimal down time.
In the past bunion surgery was done at the hospital and often required and overnight stay. Patients were placed in casts and often non-weight bearing for months. I have heard stories of patients being uncomfortable for weeks.
I can tell you techniques have changed, and I am happy to outline how the average patient experience goes at my clinic. My clinic has an onsite surgery center that provides a huge cost and time savings as compared to a free-standing surgery center or a hospital. Most bunion cases are completed in under 3 hours from the time one enters the clinic to when ones leaves. We utilize IV sedation which is safer and allows me to perform a nerve block for long term pain relief. Pain medication is only needed for a few days and many patients do not even take anything apart from an NSAID. Weight bearing status depends on any ancillary procedures, but most bunion patients can walk immediately after surgery.
If you have bunion and have been contemplating having it fixed make an appointment today and I will review your options and help you make an informed decision.
Sincerely,
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board-Certified Physician and Surgeon, Discusses the Best Long Term Outcome Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery takes years to master and hundreds of procedures to become proficient. Experience is one of the best outcome predictors in addition to ongoing training and learning. As a physician part of our job is to constantly evaluate our own outcomes and explore techniques to improve our results. I continue to monitor my outcomes and satisfaction from patients. This has helped me to have a unique perspective on long term bunion surgery outcomes.
I have found that two bunion surgeries seem to be the most predictable procedures that have favorable results. They both have been around for years and have been utilized on hundreds of thousands of patients. These two procedures are the Austin and Lapidus bunionectomy.
The Austin is a procedure that is preformed on the head of the first metatarsal. It involves the release of some soft tissue around the bone and then cutting and sliding the bone back into position. This procedure works very well on smaller bunions with no foot instability. It has a quick recovery and can be done in under 1 hr.
The second is procedure the Lapidus or Lapiplasty is the work horse of bunion surgery. It utilized on larger bunions, people with foot instability or juveniles. It provides great correction and incredible long-term results. It involves release of some soft tissue structures around the head of the first metatarsal, then realignment of the first metatarsal and a tarsometatarsal fusion. It can take about 2 hours and has a longer recovery.
If you have a bunion, I would be glad to help you evaluate it and weigh your options between conservative and surgical correction. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Board Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board-Certified Physician and Surgeon, Discusses How to Get The Best Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery can be overwhelming to think about, really any surgery can. In general, I see a few patients a day with questions about their bunions and about bunion surgery. I believe the process can be simplified when the surgeon you see has both experience and timelines to help you understand the entire process.
Most bunion surgeries can be done in an outpatient setting. At my office office, we are lucky enough to have an onsite surgery center which is both a huge cost and time savings. It also allows me to operate on more bunions and has provided me with a well of experience. It is important to understand that experience and the number of bunions a surgeon sees makes a dramatic difference.
Most bunion surgeons do two types of procedures one in the head of the 1st metatarsal and one in the base. The 1st metatarsal is the bone with the bunion deformity. The head procedures allow patients to walk right after surgery and is used for small to medium bunions. The base procedures usually require about 3-4 weeks of non-weight bearing. This procedure is usually for pediatrics or larger bunions. Both can provide excellent correction when used appropriately.
If you are thinking about bunion surgery come see me and I can be of some help with the process. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Surgeon Talks About Finding the Best Foot Surgeon to Treat Your Bunions
Bunion surgery is something not to take lightly. Bunions can be very painful, and they can be hard to treat. This is a structural problem with the first metatarsal and related joints. It is a condition that is often genetic and at the foot type that is prone to bunions is inherited. So, some individuals will have bunions at a very early age, and we call this a juvenile onset bunion. These tend to progress much quicker than those that develop later in life. Again, it's common to have other family members with bunions because of the common foot structure that is prone to this.
Best Local Bunion Surgeon, Dr Brandon Nelson a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Bunion surgery is by far the most common surgical procedure that I perform. That is why I developed the Washington Bunion Center. We use state of the art equipment, the latest techniques all to provide the best possible patient experience and outcomes. We have advanced protocols for pain control after surgery and to decrease healing time. Additionally, I minimize surgery time for a better patient outcome, reducing things like post-operative nausea and grogginess regardless of the type of bunion surgery needed.
The average bunion surgery requires cutting of the bone or fusion of a joint. These are the two most common bunion surgeries to date. Regardless of the procedure needed I can make sure patients are walking immediately after surgery or within a few days by utilizing special techniques and weight bearing options. This had taken years to develop and the reason I am able to do this is related to years and years of experience.
This experience is what sets me apart from other bunion surgeons. I have fixed so many bunions over the last 15 years that is has provided me with invaluable skill and knowledge that results in excellent outcomes. I feel that by combining these two attributes’ patients have the best possible results. If you are thinking about fixing your bunion schedule an appointment today so I can help.
Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Discusses the Most Common Bunionectomy
Bunion surgery is by far the most common foot surgery in the United States. The number of bunion surgeries performed per year in the U.S. is about 150,000. The majority of these bunion surgeries are done in an outpatient setting and take less than 1.5 hours.
What is a bunion?
Please watch the following video for more information on a bunion;
https://www.bestfootdoc.com/patient-education-videos
So, what is the most common bunionectomy to date? The answer is a distal osteotomy or cutting of the bone towards the head of the metatarsal. This procedure is called an Austin bunionectomy.
Please watch the following video to learn more about bunion procedures; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_D0NhTZOyY
Bunion surgery does not need to be scary or overwhelming we are here to help.
Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
Bunion Surgery Recovery, Dr Brandon Nelson
Quite a few patients ask about bunion surgery and bunion surgery recovery. I hear a lot of stories from patients about neighbors, friends or family members that have had bunion surgery. There seems to be some misconceptions about bunion surgery and some general misconceptions. I want to help clarify this for patients and anybody thinking about fixing their bunion.
Bunion surgery can really be broken down into two different procedure locations. Bunions can be corrected at the head of the metatarsal or the base of the metatarsal. The head procedures are generally utilized for smaller bunions and base procedures are better suited for larger bunions.
Head procedures are probably the most common bunion procedure. This is often called an Austin bunionectomy and has been around for greater than 50 years. It was one of the first bunion procedures and has great success and most patients can return to a normal shoe in about 4-6 weeks. Patients can walk the entire time after surgery in a boot for about 4 weeks.
Base procedures are a little more involved surgery and therefore the recovery is longer. Most base procedures can allow patients to walk in a boot in 2-4 weeks. However, the total recovery from this type of surgery can be 8 weeks or longer.
I hope this helps to answer a few bunion surgery questions! Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Dr. Timothy Young, Board Certified Foot Surgeon Discusses a More Involved Tailor's Bunion Surgery Correction
In some cases, the fifth metatarsal bone was away from the adjacent fourth metatarsal so much that to correct the problem we must reset the bone. This is much like creating a surgical fracture realigning the bone exactly where it should be amenable allowing it to heal in its new position. This can correct a more pronounced tailor's bunion.
This requires some type of fixation. Usually this involves one or 2 small screws to hold the bone in the newly aligned position. Bone healing typically takes 6–8 weeks. Therefore, the cast boot is used long enough to allow for the additional bone healing. This can also help if the patient has a pressure point under the fifth metatarsal or callus under the fifth metatarsal. There are several different ways of realigning the bone and then fixating this.
Dr. Brandon Nelson, Discusses How To Get Through Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery can be overwhelming when one starts to think of all the logistics. It is important to start planning early in order to maximize outcomes and have a smooth recovery period. I have some advice that I think can be quite helpful for patients thinking about bunion surgery. Here are my top 10 tips:
1. Make a list of expectations for your surgeon. Bring a list to your preop and we are always happy to go through these.
2. Take a week off, be a couch potato. Sacrifice upfront will make it easier in the long run.
3. Know that you will have pain, discuss any concerns with your surgeon. Have all our pain meds/rxs filled before surgery.
4. Plan how you will get around, crutches, knee scooter, etc.
5. Have a central place in your house set up. Make it close to the bathroom and anything you will need to be comfortable.
6. Take a bone healing supplement this will decrease healing times.
7. Start your toe range of motion early this will help with stiffness.
8. Plan how you will shower, sleep and use the toilet.
9. Purchase some bandages, 4x4 gauze and coban.
10. Look at your post-op surgical schedule, when will you start walking, start ROM, be able to shower, etc.
Well I hope this is helpful and goodluck!
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
