One of the most common foot concerns is a bunion—a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. Most bunions are very visible and easily diagnosed with a physical exam and an X-ray. They can appear at any age, and you can inherit the condition from either of your parents. Bunions can also develop over time from wearing ill-fitting shoes that put pressure on the big toe joint.
For those who experience bunions, the change in joint alignment can lead to swelling, stiffness, and tenderness that make wearing shoes extremely uncomfortable.
With advances in minimally invasive surgery, orthopaedic surgeons are able to correct bunions with an outpatient procedure that requires just a few small incisions.
“When compared to traditional surgery, the minimally invasive technique leads to less scarring, faster healing, wider range of motion in the joint and a better cosmetic outcome, ” says Jennifer M. Levi, DPM, a member of the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health.