A bunion is often described as a “bump” on the side of the big toe—but it’s more than that. The bump reflects changes in the bone alignment at the front of the foot. With a bunion, the big toe drifts toward the second toe instead of pointing straight forward. Over time, this misalignment typically progresses, and bunions are often hereditary.

Minimally invasive bunion surgery uses a small stab incision on the inside of the foot. Through that tiny opening, a specialized burr is used to correct the bone alignment and realign the joint—without opening the joint capsule.

Avoiding an incision into the joint capsule helps reduce irreversible scar tissue and can preserve motion, which may decrease stiffness compared to traditional open bunion surgery.

The bone correction is stabilized with two small screws placed through tiny incisions. These screws do not need to be removed unless they become irritated, which is uncommon since they are typically buried within the bone. Most patients only require three small stitches, resulting in minimal visible scarring.

Traditional bunion surgery often requires a longer incision over the big toe joint. The joint capsule is opened, and the bone is cut and repositioned. That approach can create significant scar tissue and stiffness, sometimes requiring months of physical therapy to regain motion. With minimally invasive bunion surgery, the bone is still corrected—but the joint itself is not surgically opened, helping preserve stability and mobility. This technique is highly reproducible and often allows the toe to look straighter and more natural.

Sutures are commonly removed around 10 days (often sooner than traditional surgery), and many patients can usually shower once the incision sites are cleared.

In many cases, yes. X-rays are taken at your office visit and Dr. Campitelli will determine if minimally invasive correction is appropriate for your bunion. The majority of bunions can be treated using minimally invasive techniques, and many deformities that traditionally required a Lapidus-type procedure may now be correctable with minimally invasive methods—often with a shorter recovery timeline.

Dr. Campitelli worked closely with Arthrex to refine his minimally invasive bunion technique and confidently introduced it into his practice over the past several years. He currently serves as a surgical instructor teaching minimally invasive bunion surgery to other surgeons at Arthrex Headquarters.