Secret Bridge: the new technique to treat bunions

The feet are one of the most important parts of our body, but we don’t always pay them the attention they deserve; the normal thing is that when we do it, it is because a problem has already arisen that causes us significant discomfort.

WHAT IS A BUNION?

There are many pathologies that can appear on the feet, but one of the most common are bunions. It is a deviation of the bone of the big toe that causes a bulge on the outer side of the limb and has a tendency to become inflamed and red, causing great pain.

Why do bunions appear?

There are many causes that lead to this problem:

• Excessive use of high-heeled shoes and inappropriate footwear in general.
• Genetic reasons.
• Have the so-called Egyptian foot, in which the big toe is noticeably longer than the rest of the toes.
• Having other pathologies in the area, such as flat feet or cavities.
• The presence of diseases that deform the bones, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Age.

The importance of acting early

The bunion is a problem that affects the entire structure of the foot. There is a deviation of the big toe that puts pressure on the rest of the toes on this limb, which can lead to other problems, such as claw toes. Hence the importance of treating bunions as soon as possible.

How are bunions removed?

Traditionally, the way to solve this problem was to realign the bone. Local anesthesia was applied to the patient and the part of the metatarsal that protruded to the outside was cut. Then some screws were placed so that the bone grows in its place. Finally, it was sutured and bandaged.

New ways to treat bunions

The bunion is such a common problem that new techniques have been devised to put an end to this pathology without having to break the bone , which makes recovery faster and does not leave any type of scar.

The newest is a percutaneous endoscopic surgical technique known as Secret Bridge ; what it does is slightly displace the bunion so that the bone regains its proper shape and function.

To do this, small perforations of one millimeter in diameter are carried out and, through them, an artificial bridge is applied that is responsible for moving the bone without the need to section it.

Among the benefits of this treatment, specialists highlight the following:

• The scars that remain are very small, since the incisions are minimal.
• The patient does not have to go through the pain of bone breakage and trauma to the soft parts of the foot.
• Post-operative discomfort can be easily controlled with mild anti-inflammatories and analgesics.
• The operation is completely outpatient and the patient can go back to their daily life as soon as the intervention is finished.
• You can wear normal shoes and walk without any help from the start.
• It can be done even in minors, since it does not affect the growth plates.

This intervention is especially indicated when it comes to mild or moderate cases of bunions. If the deviation is very severe, there will be no choice but to resort to an osteotomy .

How is bunion diagnosed?

When going through a bunion intervention with or without osteotomy, it is essential that the specialist make a good diagnosis to check the state of the area to be treated and determine the type of intervention to be performed.

To do this, a physical examination is usually performed first to determine the severity of the deviation, also checking the mobility of the joint, inflammation and whether the deviation affects more fingers.

Immediately afterwards, an anamnesis of the patient will be made to know their health status and determine if there are any risk factors that have led to the appearance of the bunion. Finally, a radiological examination of the area and a podoscopy will be carried out to analyze the alterations of the foot, as well as an analysis.

Tips to ease bunion discomfort

There are people for whom their bunions do not cause much discomfort, but there are others who suffer great pain due to the deviation of the bone. While it is time for the intervention, there are a number of tips that can be taken into account to reduce pain.

First of all, it is important to wear comfortable shoes, with a wide toe and that do not constrict your toes. In the case of women, you must refrain from wearing high heels .

Interdigital spacers can be of great help in keeping your toes in the proper position, while foam pads prevent bunions from rubbing against the shoe.

It is important to adjust daily activities, since there are certain positions that can cause more pain in the bunion area, for example, standing for a long time.

In the event of swelling, ice can be applied to the area two or three times a day. In the most serious cases of pain and inflammation, you have to go to the doctor to be in charge of prescribing anti-inflammatories.

When discomfort appears in the area, it may be a good idea to apply a corrective massage to help improve the deformity of the bone. It involves applying pressure to the area, sliding the thumbs of the hand over the top of the foot towards the fingers. You have to perform up to 10 deep pressures.

Another way to improve discomfort is to support the foot correctly on a flat surface, grasp the big toe and separate it from the rest, keeping it that way for as long as possible. This reduces the pressure in the area and makes you feel relief.

In any case, the best way to avoid the discomfort caused by bunions is to put yourself in the hands of foot specialists as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear.