Bunion surgery straightens the big toe by realigning the bone underneath the bump, not just shaving the bump off. It’s usually worth considering when a bunion keeps hurting, makes shoes hard to wear, limits what you do or keeps getting bigger, and shoes and padding no longer help. It isn’t done for looks alone.
There are several ways to do it, from open surgery with plates and screws to joint fusion to minimally invasive correction through small incisions. At The Bunion Cure in Littleton, just southwest of Denver, we’ve performed more than 3,500 minimally invasive bunion corrections since 2019. This guide covers who’s a candidate, how the main options compare, how ours works, recovery, cost and risks.
Types at a glance
Recovery overview
Cost and risks
Are you a candidate for bunion surgery?
We usually talk about surgery when:
- The bunion hurts most days or wakes you at night
- You can’t find shoes that don’t rub
- It’s limiting walking, work, exercise or travel
- The bump or the toe angle is getting worse
- The big toe is crowding the second toe, or you’re getting hammertoes or pain under the ball of the foot
What matters most is your exam and standing (weight-bearing) X-rays. They show how far the bone has drifted and rotated, whether the joint has arthritis and where the sesamoids sit. Health factors such as diabetes, smoking, circulation and nerve problems also shape the plan.
Types of bunion surgery at a glance
| Type | What it does | Usually used for | Hardware | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bump removal (exostectomy) | Shaves the bump; doesn’t realign the bone | Rarely enough by itself | None | Types of bunion surgery |
| Open osteotomy | Cuts and shifts the metatarsal through a larger incision | Mild to moderate bunions | Usually permanent screws or plates | vs traditional |
| Minimally invasive osteotomy (our approach) | Cuts and realigns the metatarsal in all three planes through small incisions | Mild to severe bunions, and sometimes extremely severe ones, depending on X-rays and physical exam | Ours: a temporary pin | Minimally invasive bunion surgery |
| Lapidus / Lapiplasty | Fuses the joint where the first metatarsal meets the midfoot | Severe bunions or an unstable first ray | Permanent plates and screws | vs Lapiplasty |
| Big toe joint fusion | Fuses the big toe joint | Bunions with significant arthritis | Permanent plate or screws | Types of bunion surgery |
Swipe sideways on smaller screens to see every column.
Compare all three side by side: Lapiplasty vs minimally invasive vs traditional.
How our minimally invasive bunion surgery works
Our minimally invasive bunionectomy is a 3D correction: we realign the first metatarsal in all three planes (side to side, up and down, and rotation) and bring the sesamoids back under the joint.
- Small incisions, under local anesthesia, with no breathing tube or IV
- The surgery itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes; most patients are in the building about 90 minutes
- A temporary pin holds the bone while it heals, commonly removed around 4 weeks; no permanent plates
- You walk out the same day in a post-op shoe, and most patients can walk 10 to 15 minutes at a time comfortably right away, within protected walking rules
Dr. Sullivan has performed more than 3,500 of these corrections since 2019, and our revision rate is under 1%.
Bunion surgery recovery timeline
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Every patient walks out in a post-op shoe and can usually walk 10 to 15 minutes at a time comfortably; walking is protected, not unlimited |
| Weeks 1–2 | Mostly rest and elevation to control swelling |
| Around week 4 | Follow-up X-rays; temporary pin removed; most patients move into a loose sneaker |
| Weeks 8–12 | Walking feels much closer to normal; higher-impact activity only when cleared |
| Months after | Some swelling can linger; the bone keeps remodeling |
Every recovery is different. Desk workers often return within a couple of days if they can keep the foot elevated; jobs on your feet usually take longer.
Cost and insurance
Bunion surgery that’s medically necessary is often covered. We accept Medicare and most major plans. Your share depends on your deductible, coinsurance and whether one or both feet are done. Due to Medicaid rules, we can’t see Medicaid patients, even for consultations. Payment plans are available.
Risks
Every bunion surgery carries some risk: infection, stiffness, nerve irritation, slow bone healing, pain under the ball of the foot, and the bunion coming back. We go through these at your consultation.
Coming from Denver or out of town
We’re at Northwest Surgery Center, 13402 W Coal Mine Ave, Suite 310, Littleton, CO 80127, about 25 minutes southwest of downtown Denver. Patients come from across Colorado and other states, and many fly in and out for their surgery. Our travel page covers planning flights, follow-up visits and pin removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bunion surgery worth it?
It can be when a bunion keeps hurting or limiting you and shoes and pads haven’t helped. Surgery is the only way to realign the bone. If your bunion doesn’t bother you, there’s no need to rush.
How long does bunion surgery take?
Our minimally invasive bunionectomy usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, or 45 to 60 minutes when combined with other procedures such as hammertoe corrections. Plan on about 90 minutes at the center.
Is it a 3D correction like Lapiplasty?
Yes. Our minimally invasive bunionectomy corrects the bunion in all three planes: side to side, up and down, and rotation. 3D describes what the surgery corrects, not one brand. Lapiplasty is one 3D method (a fusion); ours is another (a bone cut that heals, with a temporary pin and no fusion).
Will I be put to sleep?
We use local anesthesia, with no breathing tube or IV.
Can I have both feet done?
Yes. When both feet have bunions, we usually correct them on two back-to-back days, typically Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday, so both recoveries happen together. If one foot needs a bunion correction and the other needs a hammertoe correction or another minor procedure, we can do both the same day.
When can I wear normal shoes?
Almost every patient is in normal shoes by about 4 weeks, usually a loose tennis shoe or slip-on that allows for some swelling.
Does insurance cover bunion surgery?
Often, when it’s medically necessary. We accept Medicare and most major plans.
Medical Note
This page is general education and does not replace medical advice. The right bunion surgery depends on your exam, X-rays, medical history, goals, deformity severity, joint health, and safety considerations.
Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Sullivan · Updated November 9, 2026.
Want To Match This Information To Your Foot?
Bring your questions, and your X-rays if you have them. We’ll tell you which approach fits your bunion and why.
Bunion Surgery Recovery FAQs
Recovery is one of the biggest parts of choosing the right bunion procedure.
Medically reviewed by Jordan Sullivan, DPM · Updated November 9, 2026