How the AMI-BUNION® Technique Compares to Traditional Bunion Correction Surgery
We compare key factors of the AMI-BUNION® procedure and traditional bunion correction surgical methods to see which technique comes out on top.
Pain
While traditional bunion surgery can leave patients in pain for up to two months, the minimally invasive AMI-BUNION® method is virtually painless, significantly reducing post-operative pain and discomfort.
Scarring
Traditional bunion surgery leaves a visible 1 to 2-inch scar that can be painful and unattractive. With our advanced AMI-BUNION® technique, you may have a faint 5 mm scar on the side of your big toe.
Scar Tissue
Dissecting soft tissues during a traditional bunion correction surgery can leave scar tissue, the number one cause of prolonged post-operative pain and limited range of motion of the big toe joint. The AMI-BUNION® procedure involves minimal dissections that result in little to no buildup of scar tissue.
Range of Motion
Traditional bunion surgery requires dissection near the first metatarsophalangeal joint, which can decrease the big toe joint’s range of motion post-surgery. Due to the minimally invasive nature of the AMI-BUNION® method, most patients do not lose any range of motion.
Swelling
Swelling is one of the most significant issues associated with traditional bunion correction. The more swelling you have, the more pain you have, and the longer it takes to get back into regular shoes, return to work, and resume your normal routine. Dr. K’s minimally invasive AMI-BUNION® procedure results in little to no noticeable swelling. Minimal swelling means minimal pain, which can allow patients to return to regular shoes in two to four weeks, compared to three months with traditional methods.
Recovery
With traditional bunion surgery, you may face months of recovery and require extensive physical therapy to restore the range of motion in your big toe joint. Our AMI-BUNION® patients typically walk without crutches the day after surgery, and some have even returned to work in just one week.
Do you have bunions? A bunion is a bony “bump” that appears at the joint where the big toe meets the foot. These progressive deformities can have numerous causes, including a foot that flattens too much, poorly-fitting shoes, joint damage, arthritis, and genetics. Bunions are more than unsightly; they can be extremely painful and make standing and walking more difficult. Though wider shoes, custom-made inserts, bunions shields, corticosteroid injections, and other conservative methods can help minimize pain and discomfort, surgery is the only way to correct the deformity permanently. 
