Many of the severe bunion surgeries that we perform involve fusion of the first metatarsal–cuneiform joint. This is also sometimes called a Lapidus bunionectomy. When we do this procedure we are correcting the first metatarsal misalignment. We can correct a severe bunion misalignment with this procedure. Once we realign this joint and then position it for fusion, the 2 surfaces do not always match up perfectly. In addition to this we are now planning on having a joint fuse. Fusing the joint is not always technically easy, have developed techniques to perfect this and we  are very good at these joint fusions. We remove all the cartilage, and then realign the bone and then small holes in the bone are drilled to allow for better blood flow during the healing process.

This process is similar to fooling the body into thinking that there has been a fracture, and then the bone healing of the fracture has to occur. Adding bone graft of this process is always helpful. We are filling in any small deficits at the fusion site and we are also putting in bone healing elements from one part of the body into another. There are other options to enhance bone healing. However, nothing is good as your own body including one's own bone graft material. This is called autogenous bone graft material (meaning it comes from yourself) rather than allograft  (which would come from another person).  With virtually all of our joint fusions including for severe bunion correction we use autogenous bone graft material to maximize bone healing for our patients.

 

If you have a severe bunion and would like consultation or to discuss treatment options please let us know.