BALTIMORE, Md. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Bunions are small bony bumps on toes that create massive pain and problems. Surgery is the solution, but an old traditional method is being challenged by a newer, groundbreaking procedure called a minimal bunionectomy. It helped this Maryland woman get back on her feet.
Megan Christopher stays on the move as a mom of three teenage daughters; however, she was stopped in her tracks by painful bunions.
“I think for me, at night, you know, when I finally took my shoes off and was just sitting down, you know, my foot would just throb,” Megan painfully recalls.
After a painful open bunionectomy a few years ago, she investigated a new procedure called a minimally-invasive bunionectomy.
Mercy Medical Center surgeon, Rebecca Cerrato, MD explains, “Now, we use tools that allow us to do these small keyhole incisions, to do that same sort of precise cut. Patients, for the first two months, will have much less pain and swelling with the minimally invasive technique than with the traditional invasive open bunion surgery. How people get bunions, there’s many causes. Most people come in and there are probably multiple causes for that person. It’s not just bad shoe wear or high heels. Probably the most common cause is genetic.”
Patients who undergo a minimally-invasive bunionectomy can usually get into a normal shoe within six weeks and then progress to biking and walking to further heal. Megan’s added bonus was not having to look at her distorted feet.
“Yeah, I’m back in my shoes, and sometimes I’m walking in my closet and look down and say, ‘Those are my feet? They look so good, like, they look so normal!,” Megan says with relief.
The smaller minimally-invasive incisions are performed with specialized instruments to realign the foot and remove pressure. Doctors caution that not all bunions can be treated by this new surgical approach and that the bunions may come back, but are usually not as painful.
Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Matt Goldschmidt, Editor.
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MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TITLE: THESE FEET ARE MADE FOR WALKING: NEW TREATMENT FOR BUNIONS
REPORT: MB #5346
BACKGROUND: Bunions are a common foot condition characterized by a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe. This bump develops when the joint at the base of the big toe becomes misaligned, causing the big toe to lean inward toward the other toes. This misalignment can result in pain, swelling, redness, and restricted movement of the big toe.
One of the primary causes of bunions is wearing poorly fitting shoes, particularly shoes that are too tight or narrow in the toe box. High heels and shoes with pointed toes can also exacerbate the problem by putting excessive pressure on the toes and forcing them into unnatural positions. Additionally, genetics and certain foot deformities can increase the likelihood of developing bunions. Prevention is key when it comes to bunions, and there are several steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing this condition. Wearing properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box, avoiding high heels and shoes with pointed toes, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help prevent bunions from forming or worsening. Additionally, paying attention to foot mechanics and addressing any foot problems or deformities early on can help prevent bunions from developing in the first place.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/symptoms-causes/syc-20354799
DIAGNOSING: Treatment for bunions depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, conservative measures such as wearing wide, comfortable shoes and using padding or orthotic devices to cushion the bunion and provide support to the foot may be sufficient to alleviate symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers and icing the affected area can also help reduce pain and inflammation. For more severe or persistent bunions, medical intervention may be necessary. This can include corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and improve joint function, or custom orthotic devices to correct foot mechanics and alleviate pressure on the bunion. In cases where conservative treatments are ineffective and the bunion is causing significant pain or interfering with daily activities, surgery may be recommended to realign the joint and remove the bony bump.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/symptoms-causes/syc-20354799
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Lapipalsty is a new procedure using patented technology to help correct both a bunion and its underlying cause. It straightens three dimensions of alignment on the metatarsal bone. It starts by helping to correct the sideways lean of the metatarsal bone then it stops the abnormal rotations in the bone that creates irritation and leads to arthritis. It also works to prevent the bone from making an upward arch that puts pressure on the other toes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Collins
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com
