Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset now offers a new minimally invasive surgery to treat bunions, foot deformities that are caused when a bony bump develops on the joint of the big toe. This revolutionary bunion solution, Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™, realigns the big toe joint through small incisions using specialized patented bone screws.

"Because the incisions are so tiny, scarring is minimal and, in most cases, patients experience only mild discomfort that can be managed with non-narcotic, over-the-counter pain relievers," said Robert Thiele, DPM, chief of podiatry at RWJUH Somerset. "Our patients can leave the hospital the same day as the procedure and can put weight on their foot without a cast or use of crutches."

"Patients often do not require any formal physical therapy, as they can perform the rehab exercises at home. Most patients are back in sneakers by week six and walking for exercises as tolerated. Patients can wear reasonable shoes after eight weeks and some can even wear a small heel at that point."

Dr. Thiele performed bunion surgery on Candace Shale's right foot in January at RWJUH Somerset and on her left foot in March.

Shale, 72, of Bridgewater, had bunions since she was a teenager, but they never really bothered her until about two years ago when her painful feet began interfering with her golf game.

"It really became untenable," she said.

Within two months of her second surgery, she was back on the links and now plays rounds of golf two or three times each week, walking when weather permits.

"I'm wearing regular shoes on both feet and my feet feel better than they have for many years," she said.

More common in women than men, bunions are most often hereditary. They can also be exacerbated by wearing tight, pointy shoes and high heels, which put pressure on the big toe. While shoe modifications, pads and orthotics can help with bunion pain, the only way to correct the deformity is through surgical correction, according to Dr. Thiele.

Traditional open bunion surgery requires several-inch incisions. Surgeons cut and then shift bones in the toe and foot using bulky plates with prominent screws to hold the correction. Other types of bunion surgeries involve unnatural joint fusion techniques to realign the toe joint, which also require large incisions. The Bunionplasty® procedure only needs a few small incisions on the side of the foot. A novel method to cut, realign and secure the bone back into normal alignment using one or two of the patented screw technology allows the bones to heal and regenerate in a new straight corrected position, Dr. Thiele explained. Recovery time may be up to four months faster than other types of bunion surgery.

"The Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure and technology was developed by Dr. Neal Blitz, a world-renowned foot surgeon, who has now made this revolutionary procedure available to select surgeons across the United States, and RWJUH Somerset is leading the way. The procedure is unique in allowing patients to enjoy the ability to walk right after the procedure in a surgical shoe without a cast or crutches. The patients return to daily activities more quickly than traditional bunion surgery. The Bunionplasty® procedure relieves the pain without fusing any foot joints; thereby, maintaining normal foot function. The procedure also provides a cosmetically pleasing result secondary to its minimally invasive nature," Dr. Thiele said. "While there is always a chance of recurrence after any bunion surgery, the chance of bunions coming back after the Bunionplasty® procedure is minimal."

In addition to bunion surgeries, RWJUH Somerset's surgical services encompass a wide range of specialties, including orthopedic, vascular, urology, gynecology, oncology, spine, bariatric, general and gender affirmation surgeries for adults.

RWJUH Somerset recently expanded its robotic surgery capabilities with the addition of a second da Vinci Robotic Surgical System and introduced robotic aquablation therapy for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

The hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as "high performing" for total hip replacement surgery and has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for total knee and hip replacement surgery. It was honored by Healthgrades as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery, ranking in the top 2% in the nation.

This fall, RWJUH Somerset expects to complete its two-story vertical expansion project, which will include a 35-bed inpatient unit with all-private rooms for patients recovering from orthopedic surgery.

For more information about surgical services at RWJUH Somerset, visitwww.rwjbh.org/somerset. For a physician referral, call 888-724-7123.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset now offers a new minimally invasive surgery to treat bunions, foot deformities that are caused when a bony bump develops on the joint of the big toe. This revolutionary bunion solution, Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™, realigns the big toe joint through small incisions using specialized patented bone screws.

"Because the incisions are so tiny, scarring is minimal and, in most cases, patients experience only mild discomfort that can be managed with non-narcotic, over-the-counter pain relievers," said Robert Thiele, DPM, chief of podiatry at RWJUH Somerset. "Our patients can leave the hospital the same day as the procedure and can put weight on their foot without a cast or use of crutches."

"Patients often do not require any formal physical therapy, as they can perform the rehab exercises at home. Most patients are back in sneakers by week six and walking for exercises as tolerated. Patients can wear reasonable shoes after eight weeks and some can even wear a small heel at that point."

Dr. Thiele performed bunion surgery on Candace Shale's right foot in January at RWJUH Somerset and on her left foot in March.

Shale, 72, of Bridgewater, had bunions since she was a teenager, but they never really bothered her until about two years ago when her painful feet began interfering with her golf game.

"It really became untenable," she said.

Within two months of her second surgery, she was back on the links and now plays rounds of golf two or three times each week, walking when weather permits.

"I'm wearing regular shoes on both feet and my feet feel better than they have for many years," she said.

More common in women than men, bunions are most often hereditary. They can also be exacerbated by wearing tight, pointy shoes and high heels, which put pressure on the big toe. While shoe modifications, pads and orthotics can help with bunion pain, the only way to correct the deformity is through surgical correction, according to Dr. Thiele.

Traditional open bunion surgery requires several-inch incisions. Surgeons cut and then shift bones in the toe and foot using bulky plates with prominent screws to hold the correction. Other types of bunion surgeries involve unnatural joint fusion techniques to realign the toe joint, which also require large incisions. The Bunionplasty® procedure only needs a few small incisions on the side of the foot. A novel method to cut, realign and secure the bone back into normal alignment using one or two of the patented screw technology allows the bones to heal and regenerate in a new straight corrected position, Dr. Thiele explained. Recovery time may be up to four months faster than other types of bunion surgery.

"The Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure and technology was developed by Dr. Neal Blitz, a world-renowned foot surgeon, who has now made this revolutionary procedure available to select surgeons across the United States, and RWJUH Somerset is leading the way. The procedure is unique in allowing patients to enjoy the ability to walk right after the procedure in a surgical shoe without a cast or crutches. The patients return to daily activities more quickly than traditional bunion surgery. The Bunionplasty® procedure relieves the pain without fusing any foot joints; thereby, maintaining normal foot function. The procedure also provides a cosmetically pleasing result secondary to its minimally invasive nature," Dr. Thiele said. "While there is always a chance of recurrence after any bunion surgery, the chance of bunions coming back after the Bunionplasty® procedure is minimal."

In addition to bunion surgeries, RWJUH Somerset's surgical services encompass a wide range of specialties, including orthopedic, vascular, urology, gynecology, oncology, spine, bariatric, general and gender affirmation surgeries for adults.

RWJUH Somerset recently expanded its robotic surgery capabilities with the addition of a second da Vinci Robotic Surgical System and introduced robotic aquablation therapy for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

The hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as "high performing" for total hip replacement surgery and has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for total knee and hip replacement surgery. It was honored by Healthgrades as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery, ranking in the top 2% in the nation.

This fall, RWJUH Somerset expects to complete its two-story vertical expansion project, which will include a 35-bed inpatient unit with all-private rooms for patients recovering from orthopedic surgery.

For more information about surgical services at RWJUH Somerset, visitwww.rwjbh.org/somerset. For a physician referral, call 888-724-7123.