Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
are misaligned big toe joints that can become
swollen and tender, causing the first joint
of the big toe to slant outward, and the second
joint to angle toward the other toes. Bunions
tend to be hereditary, but can be aggravated
by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot
and toe. Surgery by a podiatric physician
is frequently recommended to correct the problem.
Because bunions develop slowly,
taking care of your feet during childhood
and early adulthood can pay off later in life.
Keep track of the shape of your feet as they
develop over time, especially if foot problems
run in your family. Exercising your feet can
strengthen them. Learn to pick up small objects
with your toes. Wear shoes that fit properly
and that do not cramp or pinch your toes.
Women should avoid shoes with high heels or
pointed toes.
Bunions are a painful condition that limits what people can do and the shoes they can wear. Only surgery can reduce the structural deformity that is a bunion. Bunion surgery can be very expensive. In addition to the surgeon's fees, time missed from work, the Hospital or Surgery center fees can be more than $3,000.00.
Many American have no health insurance or have very portions of the bill they have to pay. Rising deductibles and coinsurance continue to raise the portion of any medical bill the patient is responsible for.
We offer healthy patients who can travel to Irving, Dallas/Forth Worth, and Houston the chance to have bunion surgery at no cost and be reimbursed for their time and travel by participating in clinical research.
Dr Mark Robson, DPM and Dr Michael Golf, DPM are board certified Podiatrists and Foot Surgeons practicing in the Dallas/Forth Worth Metroplex, Irving TX, and Houston TX areas who have participated in these pain medication clinical trials for more than 9 years. Over one thousand bunionectomy procedures have been performed for our research patients at no cost.
The bunion surgery we perform is one of the most common and time tested techniques performed throughout the United States. Sometimes called the "Austin" type bunionectomy ( Not related to the fine city but named after a person decades ago) the distal Chevron osteotomy allows patient to bear weight/walk on the surgery during the healing period. Usually no crutches are needed and the patient walks in a surgical shoe for four weeks, returning to wide comfortable shoes after 4 weeks, full activity 6-8 weeks.
The studies involve the clinical trials for pain medications. reimbursemnt is based on the length of time the patient spends at our clinic. Studies vary. Currently we are conducting 4 night stays and two night stay studies.
Healthy patients with painful bunions can write and ask questions through my email, call by phone or make an appointment to be seen and evaluated free of charge.
