A bunion is a mal-aligned big toe joint that causes inflammation of the overlying skin and soft tissue. Bunion pain is caused by either pressure on the tissues overlying the bunion, or from within the joint itself. Bunions are corrected by realigning the bone and joint of the first metatarsal and then removing the excess bone.
The Tricorrectional Bunionectomy (TCB) procedure a minimally invasive procedure that allows permanent correction while back into shoes in two weeks. The TCB provides a stable shifting of the bone with cannulated screw fixation which allows for immediate weight bearing of the foot and holds the bone in place for faster healing. Following TCB, patients are immediately able to stand and bear weight. They are back into athletic shoes on day 15 and in most cases, are resuming their regular physical activity by five weeks. Surgeries are performed with IV sedation and local anesthetic at False Creek Surgical Centre and Skin Works Surgical Centres in Vancouver BC. Patient leaves the surgical centre within a few hours of surgery, in most cases walking on the foot immediately.
90% of bunion surgeries performed by Vancouver Podiatry employ the TCB procedure. Lapidus procedures are reserved for the 10% of bunions that are too severe to benefit from TCB. These procedures require 6 to 8 weeks of non-weight bearing cast immobilization and a longer recovery time.
The health benefits of successful podiatry intervention speaks for itself. It can be transformational, helping patients get back on their feet – literally. Treatment doesn’t just successfully resolve a presenting issue – it also gives people back enjoyment in their lives.
In the past, bunion sufferers were subjected to an array of surgical procedures with mixed results. Pain, long-term disability, hospitalization and casting were the standards of care. Now, Vancouver Podiatry offers an alternative. We have pioneered a procedure, which approaches bunion surgery in a whole new way. The Tri-Correctional Bunion Surgery bioengineering technique effectively realigns the bones and securely maintains the correction. As a result we have seen very impressive outcomes:
This new bioengineering procedure is done on an outpatient basis. Traditionally, bunionectomies were done in hospitals and the patients stayed overnight, usually due to post-operative pain and the inability to walk. Nearly 80% of our patients stated that their discomfort was markedly less than they had anticipated, and required minimal medications for pain. Additionally, the surgical engineering approach stabilized the bone allowing our patients to walk the same day as their surgery.
With traditional bunion surgery, return to shoes is often delayed by as much as a month by pain, swelling, and the inability to walk due to pins, which stick out of the foot, or instability of the bone. In the Tri-Correctional procedure, the use of a surgical screw which is beneath the skin and is much more stable than pins, significantly reduces pain and swelling. Securing of the bone realignment usually allows for immediate weight bearing and ambulation (walking), without the need for full leg casting. Patients are generally ready to begin wearing shoes in two to three weeks. To ensure the best possible results, patients undergo a program of rigorous rehabilitation to assist the healing process and increase the flexibility of the corrected joint. With Tri-Correctional Bunion Surgery at Vancouver Podiatry, bunion correction has never before been such a comfortable and manageable procedure.
“I had a bunion on my left foot for several years. I debated having bunion surgery in Vancouver for some time, but recently had it done. I am happy to report that I made the correct decision. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Mathews was very thorough in letting me know exactly what to expect. He was both clear and informative. Although I was a bit nervous beforehand, upon entering the surgery, Dr Mathew’s professional yet friendly manner put me right at ease. The bunion surgery was quick and I am now three months post-op. My foot looks and feels great. I could not be more thrilled with the process as well as the results. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Mathews at Vancouver Podiatry to anyone considering bunion surgery.” J.K.
Bunions are a primarily hereditary condition. The associated pain, swelling and misalignment of the toe, worsen with standing, walking or running. As the bunion deformity increases in severity, it can cause many other associated foot problems, such as hammertoes, painful calluses on the bottom of the foot and arch pain. The bunion occurs due to a hereditary mechanical instability in the foot. This instability results in a misalignment of the bones with the big toe tilting toward the second toe. As the big toe continues to shift, we begin to notice a large bump, the metatarsal, behind and on the inside of the big toe.
Tri-Correctional Bunion Surgery is an advanced technique using surgical engineering to realign the bone for proper function, and a surgical screw for the most stable fixation. This technique is typically performed under local anesthetic and allows for permanent correction, minimal pain and a quick recovery from surgery. At Vancouver Podiatry, we have successfully performed over 500 Tri-Correctional Bunion Surgeries and believe that this procedure is the most effective available to ensure proper foot function and reduce the chances of
bunion recurrence.
From our over 20 years of combined experience, we know that contrary to public opinion, bunions are not exclusively an old person’s ailment, and that the earlier they are properly treated, the quicker the recovery and the less chance that the bunion will recur. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, we strongly recommend that you have your feet evaluated by a podiatrist:
It's been almost 5 months and I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with how smoothly my bunion surgery and recovery went! I'm not experiencing the pain I had at night before the surgery, was back in my regular shoes at 3 months and the scar is so faint it can hardly be seen. Thanks again!
It's been almost 5 months and I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with how smoothly my bunion surgery and recovery went! I'm not experiencing the pain I had at night before the surgery, was back in my regular shoes at 3 months and the scar is so faint it can hardly be seen. Thanks again!
It's been almost 5 months and I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with how smoothly my bunion surgery and recovery went! I'm not experiencing the pain I had at night before the surgery, was back in my regular shoes at 3 months and the scar is so faint it can hardly be seen. Thanks again!
It's been almost 5 months and I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with how smoothly my bunion surgery and recovery went! I'm not experiencing the pain I had at night before the surgery, was back in my regular shoes at 3 months and the scar is so faint it can hardly be seen. Thanks again!
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