Bunion Treatments and Corrective Surgeries

Bunions are a common foot deformity affecting about one-third of American adults, with risk increasing with age—especially in women. At Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Kaveh Panahi provides expert bunion care for patients in Peoria and Phoenix, Arizona, offering both at-home treatments and advanced surgical options. nA bunion forms when pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe causes it to shift out of place, making the toe lean inward. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty wearing regular shoes. Bunions may result from inherited foot structure, injuries, arthritis, or prolonged use of tight or high-heeled shoes.

Surgical Treatments

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy

This advanced fourth-generation minimally invasive chevron/Akin (MICA) bunion surgery is a new procedure that corrects a bunion and improves the alignment of your big toe.

Chevron and Akin are the two types of bone cuts that Dr. Panahi makes in your foot. They allow him to shift your bones into a better position and then fix them with permanent screws buried under your skin. 

MICA bunion surgery has advantages over traditional surgery, such as:

• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Less damage to the soft tissues and blood vessels
• Less pain
• Faster recovery 
• Improved aesthetics

Watch A Short Animated Video on MIS Bunion Correction Techniques

Learn More About Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy    Dr. Panahi can advise you if you’re a good candidate for MICA surgery.

To learn more about innovative bunion treatments, call Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons today at (623) 439-2200 or use the online scheduling tool. 

Nonsurgical Treatments

There are several non-surgical treatments for bunions:

• Comfortable shoes (they should fit well and leave enough room for your toes)
• Customized Inserts and Orthotics  Learn More About Orthotics
• Bunion pads
• Toe spacers 
• Medical tape 
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs 
• Ice packs and cold compresses 
• Exercises and stretches

The practice typically encourages patients to try conservative, nonsurgical treatments before considering surgery.

Before developing a treatment plan for you, Dr. Panahi conducts a physical exam, takes an X-ray of your foot, and considers your overall health and the severity of your condition. 

Other Available Techniques:

Lapiplasty (Lapidus Procedure) 3D Bunion Correction

The Lapiplasty procedure corrects bunions by fusing the joint between your first metatarsal bone and one of the small bones in the middle of your foot — the medial cuneiform. 

Screws or plates fuse your bones together — this helps to straighten your big toe and prevent future bunions. The procedure can also correct your bunion in three dimensions, fixing any angles or rotations that cause you problems or pain. 

Austin Bunion Correction

An Austin Bunionectomy is a surgical procedure used to correct mild to moderate bunions by realigning the big toe joint. This technique involves making a V-shaped cut (known as a distal metatarsal osteotomy) in the first metatarsal bone to shift it into a more natural position. The bone is then stabilized using a small surgical screw or pin. The goal of the procedure is to reduce pain, improve foot function, and restore a more natural foot shape—all while preserving joint movement. Recovery typically involves a protective boot and gradual return to normal activity under your surgeon’s guidance.