Bunions are a common deformity of the joint at the base of the first toe. They can be very painful and are usually a progressive condition that can get worse with time. Bunion deformities or "hallux valgus" are usually hereditary and can also be present second to other underlying factors. They are commonly seen with other foot deformities such as flat feet or misaligned feet, hammertoes, and tight Achilles tendons.

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Bunions can also be associated with other disease states such as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), rheumatoid arthritis, and some neuromuscular disorders. They can also become worse due to environmental or lifestyle choices like prolonged wearing of high heel shoes with a narrow toe box.

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Conservative treatments for painful bunions exist but none of them can actually correct the underlying bone deformity. It has traditionally required open surgery of various types, although new advances in surgery through small incisions are available, with or without the use of metal hardware screws or plates to hold the bones in place. Evaluation by a qualified foot and ankle surgeon with not only typical surgical training but also advanced minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) techniques is necessary to see if one is a candidate for the right type of procedures.

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Doctor Pero performs both traditional and minimally-invasive procedures in the outpatient or office setting for the correction of bunion deformities and to help patients end their bunion pain. He also performs a procedure to correct an underlying flat foot or misaligned foot called a HyProCure procedure, which can address the cause of the bunion deformity, and prevent it from recurring in the future. These techniques require additional training and expertise, and often result in:

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- smaller incisions

- minimal to no stitches

- minimal to no scarring

- less pain

- less swelling

- ability to walk immediately after surgery

- less risk for infection

- less risk for blood clots

- less downtime

- early recovery

- ability to go back to work or sports sooner

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These advantages make it a superior treatment option for those who qualify as a candidate for minimally-invasive procedures for bunion deformities.