How do I get rid of my bunion?
Most people think bunions and other foot problems mean painful hospital surgery or a lifetime of orthopaedic shoes. However, there is an alternative called minimal incision surgery. This is an ambulatory technique (you can walk right away) that can be used to treat bunions, hammertoes, corns, and callouses. This allows podiatrists like Sheldon Nadal, to work through very small openings with specialized instruments. Many people experience much less post-operative discomfort and disability compared to conventional surgery. After, many patients use nothing stronger than Aspirin or Tylenol and may return to work within a matter of days.

What are the differences between minimal incision bunion surgery and conventional hospital bunion surgery?
Minimal incision surgery is based on the same sound biomechanical and surgical principles as conventional surgery. However, podiatrists have developed special instruments which allow them to work through smaller openings in the skin. Consequently, there tends to be much less soft tissue trauma and less post operative discomfort. The minimal incision bunion technique is usually performed in an office setting with local anaesthesia. You can read, listen to music, or watch T.V. while you are being treated.

Does minimal incision bunion surgery hurt?
The procedure is typically painless due to local anaesthesia. When the local wears off, there tends to be very little post operative discomfort. Many people need nothing stronger than Aspirin or Tylenol.

Will my bunions come back?
A bunion is not just an enlarged bump at the big toe joint. It also involves a deviated, or crooked first metatarsal bone. The bunion will generally not return, provided the first metatarsal bone is made straighter in addition to removing the bump. This can be done with the minimal incision technique. If only the bump is removed, the bunion is more likely to recur.

What are the advantages of the minimal incision bunion procedure compared to conventional hospital surgery?

1) Using specially designed instruments, podiatrists are able to treat bunions, corns, hammertoes and callouses through very small openings in the skin. Consequently, there is less soft tissue work. This often results in considerably less post operative discomfort and quicker return to work and normal activities. Many people need nothing stronger than Aspirin or Tylenol post operatively.

2) The minimal incision technique can be performed under local anaesthetic in an office setting. Patients can read, listen to music or watch T.V. during the procedure. Most doctors consider local anaesthetic safer than general anaesthetic.

3) Expensive hospital beds and operating rooms are usually not necessary. This results in substantial savings for the government and medical plans.

4) Casts and crutches are usually not required with the minimal incision technique. Instead, an adhesive tape and gauze dressing is used for four to six weeks.

5) The minimal incision technique can be more cosmetically appealing because the scars are much smaller.

6) Following the minimal incision technique, people tend to get back to work and normal activities quicker. This is very important to people who run their own businesses or cannot be away from work for excessive lengths of time.

When can I return to work?
Someone who sits most of the day may return to work as soon as one week following the minimal incision bunion technique. Someone who stands all day needs approximately six to eight weeks off. The more you can sit, the sooner you may go back to work.

How often do I return for checkups?
Following the minimal incision bunion technique, you return to my office 3 days later for a checkup. Then I change the dressing once a week for 5 weeks. On the sixth week you may remove the dressing yourself. You then return six weeks later and every three months for a year for checkups. The number of visits can be reduced for out of town patients.

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