Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery in New Jersey

What is a Tailor’s Bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of your big toe, causing it to lean toward your other toes. Over time, this misalignment can worsen, leading to pain, difficulty walking, and trouble finding comfortable shoes.

A tailor’s bunion (also called a bunionette) is similar, but it occurs on the outside of your foot at the base of your little toe. The fifth metatarsal bone begins to protrude outward while your little toe angles inward, creating a painful bump that rubs against your shoes.

Both conditions can significantly impact your quality of life, making even simple activities uncomfortable. This problem is often solved with minimally invasive bunion surgery.

What is The Cause Behind the Bunions?

Often, a tailor’s bunion is caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. In these cases, changes occur in the foot’s bony framework, resulting in the development of an enlargement. The fifth metatarsal bone starts to protrude outward, while the little toe moves inward. This shift creates a bump on the outside of the foot that becomes irritated whenever a shoe presses against it.

Sometimes a tailor’s bunion is actually a bony spur (an outgrowth of bone) on the side of the fifth metatarsal head.

Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of a tailor’s bunion are usually aggravated by wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe, producing constant rubbing and pressure.

When Should You Consider Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery in New Jersey?

Conservative treatments should always be tried first. These include:

• Wearing wider, more comfortable shoes with a roomy toe box
• Using bunion pads or cushions
• Taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Applying ice to reduce swelling
• Using custom orthotics

Minimally invasive bunion surgery becomes an option when:

• Pain persists despite conservative treatment
• Your daily activities are significantly limited
• You have difficulty finding any shoes that don’t cause pain
• The bunion deformity is progressing and affecting other toes

What is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

Traditional bunion surgery requires large incisions, significant tissue disruption, and lengthy recovery periods. Minimally invasive bunion surgery represents a major advancement in treatment.

The PROstep MIS System in New Jersey

Dr. Athar uses the PROstep Minimally Invasive Surgery system, delivered by Stryker—a leader in foot and ankle surgical technology. This advanced approach uses tiny, percutaneous incisions (usually just a few millimeters) to correct the bunion deformity.

The procedure addresses a historical challenge in bunion surgery: securely fixing the bone in its corrected position. Traditional minimally invasive techniques often relied on K-wires (temporary pins) that would stick out of the toe during healing. The PROstep system allows for more secure fixation of the bone fragments without external hardware, all while maintaining the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.

Visit us at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine today and book your appointment with Dr. Mohammed Athar, specializing in foot and ankle and hip and knee, and certified in the PROstep minimally invasive bunion surgery.