Frequently Asked Questions

If you think you might have a bunion, the first step is to consult a podiatrist or other foot and ankle specialist. They can evaluate your feet, assess the severity of your bunion(s), and provide treatment recommendations. They may suggest non-surgical options first, or they may recommend surgery. In addition to performing that evaluation and recommendation, providers who receive our training are qualified to determine whether you’re a candidate for the Bunionplasty^® procedure itself. Learn more about the procedure.

As with any surgical procedure, the cost of minimally invasive bunion surgery can vary widely depending on several factors – your geographic location, the surgeon and their practice, and the outpatient surgical center or hospital facility. Any costs you may incur will depend on your health insurance policy and the specifics of your medical condition(s). To get the most accurate information, always consult with your provider and your insurance company for a more accurate estimate. Learn more.

Only you and your podiatrist or surgeon can determine the best time for you to have bunion repair surgery. Factors like your age, the severity of your bunion or bunions, your level and types of physical activity, other foot and ankle conditions like hammertoes, other health conditions that may impact your surgery and healing, etc. Some people may choose to correct bunions while they’re mild, while others may prefer to wait. Hear from other patients like you.

Recovery from bunion surgery depends on factors like the severity of the bunion(s), the patient’s age and other medical factors, whether other foot and ankle procedures are performed at the same time, how closely the patient is able to adhere to post-op instructions, and other variables. With the Bunionplasty^® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure, a patient might be able to walk the same day as their surgery, with their surgeon’s permission. At around six weeks, many patients return to walking in sneakers for longer periods. By two months, most patients are back to full recreation and their favorite footwear. Learn more.

Many patients travel a significant distance to have bunion surgery, either driving to see their surgeon or flying in from another city or country. Because bunion surgery can have a major impact on quality of life, patients often seek a surgeon who is not only an expert in bunion repair, but someone they feel personally comfortable with, who they trust to guide them in making major medical decisions. Find the bunion doctor for you.

The Bunionplasty^® procedure is a revolutionary, minimally invasive method of performing bunion surgery. It was created for all bunions, no matter how severe. It uses a combination of specialized minimally invasive methods, advanced technology, and the latest reconstructive and plastic surgery techniques. Learn more about the procedure.

The Bunionplasty 360^® Bunion Repair^™ procedure is a specialized type of bunion surgery. It uses a patented technique that permits the realignment of bone in bunion repair from all angles, all planes, and all dimensions at all times to position and fixate the bone in bunion repair. It also incorporates plastic surgery approaches that lead to a more attractive, aesthetically pleasing result. It works with a patient’s body and lifestyle, for a whole-person recovery across all areas of life. See the results.

Bunions are a medical problem, not a cosmetic one – even though the Bunionplasty^® 360 Bunion Repair^™ procedure is performed through tiny incisions like the ones used in laparoscopy or plastic surgery. In many cases, private health insurance companies and Medicare consider bunion surgery medically necessary, so find the doctor who’s right for you, and work with them and your insurance provider to determine your coverage. Learn more about Insurance.

Minimally invasive bunion surgery (MIBS) uses tiny incisions on the foot, instead of the longer, larger incisions used in traditional techniques. Those smaller incisions allow the surgeon to use a burr, rather than a saw, to cut the bone. Because minimally invasive surgery causes less disruption to soft tissue like skin, muscle, and ligaments, the foot is often less swollen and painful following surgery, with little to no scarring once fully healed. Learn more about the procedure.

Only providers who’ve received our specialized training are qualified to perform the Bunionplasty^® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure. They must apply in order to join our team, as we hand-select, train, and certify only the most qualified doctors and surgeons to perform this innovative yet time-tested surgery. More than that, our program is designed to support the providers we train in delivering a best-in-class patient experience. Find a Doctor today.

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is more than just a bony bump. It’s a medical deformity that occurs when the big toe joint rotates out of alignment. The big toe begins to “lean” toward the other toes, causing a bump at the base. Bunions can range from mild to moderate to severe, and even small bunions can cause pain and mobility problems. They can make it hard to wear your favorite shoes or participate in work, fitness, and social activities. Bunions are a multidimensional medical problem that gets worse over time, impacting every area of life.

Bunions are primarily a genetic problem, but some things can make them worse. Wearing high heels or shoes that don’t fit correctly can make an existing bunion worse by putting additional pressure on the big toe joint, contributing to inflammation, pain, and reduced mobility as the bunion progresses. Other medical issues can also make bunions worse, especially if they cause abnormal foot mechanics and uneven distribution of weight across the joints of the foot.

A bony bump at the base of the big toe is the first and most common sign of a bunion. The big toe may also lean toward the other toes. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and joint stiffness in the joint, and certain footwear and activities can make these symptoms worse. As the bunion grows more severe, the skin can become irritated, leading to blisters or calluses.

Your doctor will typically begin with a visual and/or physical examination, to evaluate the shape of your foot and the alignment of your big toe. They’ll ask about symptoms like pain and difficulty wearing shoes, and ask you to describe the impact your symptoms are having on your life. They may also take x-rays to confirm the diagnosis, and assess your bunion’s severity by evaluating the angle of the big toe misalignment. They may also rule out or address other conditions, like osteoarthritis.

Because bunions are a genetic condition, they can’t be prevented – but you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing them, or slow their progression if you do. Wearing properly fitted, comfortable shoes with a wide toe box helps reduce pressure. Your doctor may recommend specific exercises that can stretch and strengthen the muscles around your toes. Avoiding high heels or narrow shoes may also help prevent bunions from forming or worsening, and maintaining a healthy weight range for your body can reduce additional stress on your feet.

Your doctor may recommend bunion surgery if non-surgical treatments fail to relieve pain and other symptoms, or if the bunion significantly interferes with your daily activities. They may also suggest surgery if your bunion deformity gets worse over time, you’re having difficulty walking, your toes are severely misaligned, or you have other related symptoms that don’t improve with non-surgical measures.

Experts have estimated that nearly 25% of adults aged 18-65 have bunions – and by age 65, more than 35% of adults will have a bunion in one or both feet. Based on this estimate, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are likely to develop bunions at some point.

Bunions are a medical deformity of the foot, and anyone can get them. However, they’re more commonly diagnosed in women, older adults, and people who have a family history of bunions. Additional risk factors can include wearing tight or poorly fitted, injuries to the foot, and other medical conditions like arthritis.

While bunions are more common in women, men can get bunions too! Regardless of gender, the root causes of bunions are similar: genetics, poorly fitted footwear, and other conditions like flat feet or osteoarthritis. Just like high heels are a common risk factor for women, tight or pointed-toe shoes can put men at greater risk for developing bunions.

Bunions are more commonly diagnosed in adults, but teens can get bunions too. A teen might be more likely to get a bunion if a family member has them, if they wear high heels or tight shoes, or if they have other biomechanical foot problems. Just like with adults, girls are more likely than boys to develop “adolescent bunions.”

If bunion pain is having an impact on your daily life, you may be a candidate for the minimally invasive Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure. Bunions are a comprehensive multidimensional medical problem, and the Bunionplasty® procedure was designed for all aspects of your life and lifestyle. So learn more and then Find a Doctor near you.