What is a bunion?
A bunion looks like a bony bump on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint. But in reality, the bump forms when pressure on the big toe joint causes the big toe to lean toward the second toe, forcing the joint of the big toe to get bigger and stick out. A bunion (or hallux valgus) is a progressive disorder in which the deformity gradually increases and the big toe joint may become stiff and painful.
Bunion Treatment Options
If conservative treatment doesn’t ease your pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. Usually, bunion surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure without a hospital stay and is typically covered by most insurance company policies.
Advanced Bunion Correction with Arthrex Minimally Invasive Surgery
We understand that dealing with a bunion can be incredibly uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. That's why at Diablo Foot & Ankle, we're excited to offer the Arthrex minimally invasive surgery system as a solution to help you find relief.
In this procedure, the surgeon will make a few small incisions around the bunion area. Through these incisions, specialized instruments are used to realign the bones in your big toe. The surgeon utilizes a high-frequency burr to precisely shave down the bone, which helps to correct the deformity. Throughout the procedure, surgeons use advanced imaging technology that allows for precise adjustments.
Once the bone has been corrected, small screws may be used to keep everything in place, ensuring stability and proper healing. The minimally invasive nature of this surgery means that there is less damage to the surrounding soft tissues, which significantly reduces postoperative pain and swelling. Most patients can bear weight on their feet immediately after the surgery and begin their recovery journey right away.
When you choose Arthrex minimally invasive surgery, you're opting for a method that prioritizes your comfort and recovery. Patients often report experiencing less pain after surgery compared to traditional methods, which means you can get back to doing what you love sooner. The smaller incisions not only reduce visible scarring but also minimize the overall impact on your foot, leading to a more cosmetic and effective outcome.
What our patients say about us
“I saw Dr. Elmi after a motorcycle accident that left my foot totally useless he was not only very knowledgeable what did a great job and give me back on my feet thank you unfortunately I am in need of his Services again it is so comforting to know I have such a skilled podiatrist taking care of me thanks again!”
“Dr. Elmi is very knowledgeable, kind, and works quickly.”
“I was amazed at how knowledgeable, kind, and quickly he solved my problem of having a callus on the bottom of my foot - I had seen a couple of other podiatrists - one being at UCSF - and neither of them seemed to know what to do to stop the pain. My son had used Dr. Elmi and highly recommended him and being very tired of limping around in pain all the time, and without much hope, decided to at least try one more doctor. As I said at the beginning of this review, I could hardly believe how quickly and easily he not only got rid of the pain but showed me exactly what was causing it and exactly what insert to get and where to get it (REI). I've been just fine every since and we're so lucky to have Dr. Elmi right here in Strawberry/Mill Valley - he's the best!”
“Thoughtful. Listened. Took care of my foot problem. Will be glad to see him again when needed.”
“I went and saw Dr. Elmi for my heel pain, and am VERY happy with the care I received. I had seen 2 other docs in the area, and they never even took the time to explain what was going on, Plantar Fasciitis. Dr. Elmi explained in detail why I was in so much pain, and showed pictures of the anatomy and everything made perfect sense. I happy to say that after initiating his course of care, I was back to running within 2 weeks, and felt like I got my life back. I found out later from my primary care that he is actually the Chief of Foot & Ankle Surgery at Marin General Hospital, makes sense..he's a great doc, highly recommend him!”