Bunion Treatments and Corrective Surgeries

Bunions are a common foot disorder that affects approximately a third of American adults. Your risk of bunions increases with age, and women are more likely to develop bunions than men. Kaveh Panahi, DPM, at Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons, offers expert bunion care for patients of all ages in Peoria and Phoenix, Arizona. Treatment plans may include convenient at-home care and innovative surgery options. To learn more, call the practice today or fill out an online appointment request.

What Are Bunions?

A bunion is a foot deformity that affects the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions develop over time as pressure on the joint at the base of your big toe causes it to move out of place. This makes your big toe lean inward toward your second toe. 

Bunions can lead to foot pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling, and they may make it difficult for you to comfortably wear normal shoes. 

Inherited foot problems, foot injuries, arthritis, or a history of wearing tight or high-heeled shoes can cause bunions. 

Before developing a treatment plan for you, Dr. Panahi conducts a physical exam, takes an X-ray of your foot, and considers your overall health and the severity of your condition. 

What are nonsurgical treatments for bunions?

Nonsurgical treatments for bunions include:

• Comfortable shoes (they should fit well and leave enough room for your toes)
• Customized Inserts and Orthotics  Learn More About Orthotics
• Bunion pads
• Toe spacers 
• Medical tape 
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs 
• Ice packs and cold compresses 
• Exercises and stretches

The practice typically encourages patients to try conservative, nonsurgical treatments before considering surgery.

What are surgical treatments for bunions?

Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers various innovative surgical treatments. 

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy

This advanced fourth-generation minimally invasive chevron/Akin (MICA) bunion surgery is a new procedure that corrects a bunion and improves the alignment of your big toe.

Chevron and Akin are the two types of bone cuts that Dr. Panahi makes in your foot. They allow him to shift your bones into a better position and then fix them with permanent screws buried under your skin. 

MICA bunion surgery has advantages over traditional surgery, such as:

• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Less damage to the soft tissues and blood vessels
• Less pain
• Faster recovery 
• Improved aesthetics

Learn More About ProStep MICA Bunionectomy

Dr. Panahi can advise you if you’re a good candidate for MICA surgery.

Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction

The Lapiplasty procedure corrects bunions by fusing the joint between your first metatarsal bone and one of the small bones in the middle of your foot — the medial cuneiform. 

Screws or plates fuse your bones together — this helps to straighten your big toe and prevent future bunions. The procedure can also correct your bunion in three dimensions, fixing any angles or rotations that cause you problems or pain. 

To learn more about innovative bunion treatments, call Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons today or use the online scheduling tool.