For many patients the MiniBunion is the ideal procedure, checking many boxes that previous surgeries and systems could not address. Dr. Thomas is one of the leading surgeons in progressing and developing minimally invasive bunion surgery techniques and systems.
For those that qualify the MiniBunion procedure offers a lasting result with shorter surgery time, minimal incision size, shorter recovery time, preservation of joint motion and minimal pain.
The MiniBunion plate and 2 screw system is ideal for holding the bunion correction in place. This consists of a titanium plate that spans both ends of the newly re-aligned metatarsal bone and is fastened by screws to both bone segments (the head and shaft). The titanium does not set off metal detectors and rarely causes any irritation or allergic reaction.
This minimal invasive engineered bunion system ensures correct bone alignment is maintained during the healing phase and long term. There is a low-profile plate and flat-headed screws which are not prominent.
A key benefit of this surgery is that it enables an immediate walking recovery because of the specially designed plate and screw. Just an important patients are also able to promptly begin range of motion exercise therapy to prevent the big toe from getting stiff. This fixation system leads to minimal pain during recovery because the hardware holds the re-positioned bones firmly in place during healing. Less bone micro-motion equals less pain during recovery. Many patients have had this surgery and simply taken Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Even though a Rx for opioids was given they never have to fill post op at the pharmacy.
Full recovery is typically accomplished after 4 to 6 weeks in the postop boot. The need for physical therapy is often minimized or eliminated altogether. Many patients do their own therapy post op with instruction given by Dr. Thomas. All of this adds up to an earlier return to normal daily activities as compared to traditional bunion removal approaches.
Although appropriate for many types of bunions the MiniBunion system may not be optimal for larger bunions or patients with very loose joints, hypermobility.
Surgery Technique
Small Incision Minimal Instrumentation and Hardware Stable Fixation
Setting the Bone Cut Location Using Fluoroscopy (Live X-ray)
Small Incision
Shifting of the bone cut
Reducing the bunion at the 1st metatarsal bone Implantation of plate through key hole incision
Insertion of the oblique proximal screw Through the plate into the shaft of the 1st metatarsal
Front and Sagittal Plane Correction Wire placed in capital fragment of 1st metatarsal and able to position prior to screw fixation *Step allows for frontal plane correction that allow correcting position of sesamoids just like the LapiplastyTM procedure markets.
After bunion corrected with being placed in appropriate position in all three planes the distal screw is inserted
Screws are secured and final construct stabilized Adjunct procedures are performed at this time if indicated such as: - soft tissue repair (lateral release or capsule tightening) - Hallux akin procedure
Common Post Op Bandage
MiniBunion Procedure Video (courtesy of CrossRoads)