Topics
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Why You Should Avoid Permanent Metal Implants
Bunion Causes and Diagnostics
Our Surgical Approach: The Easy-Out Bunion Procedure
Bunion FAQ
Before and After Photos, Videos and Testimonials
Schedule Your Appointment or Virtual Consultation
A Modern, Minimally Invasive Approach to Bunion Relief, Without Permanent Metal Hardware
Most bunion surgeries leave you with permanent screws that can cause long-term irritation or “metalosis.” Our Easy-Out Procedure uses the patented SafetyFix® system. We realign the bone through a tiny opening, and once you’re healed, we remove the hardware. You’re left with a corrected foot and zero metal.
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Walk the same day (No crutches or heavy casts).
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Minimal Scarring (Keyhole technique).
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Fast Recovery (Return to desk work in days, not weeks).
Why Avoid Permanent Metal Implants?
The Issues with Conventional Permanent Hardware
In recent years, concerns have grown around the long-term presence of metal implants in the body. While traditional bunion surgeries often rely on permanent screws or plates, research and patient experiences have highlighted potential complications such as:
- Metal sensitivity or allergic reactions
- Chronic inflammation or irritation
- Metalosis — a condition caused by the buildup of metal debris in surrounding tissues, which can lead to pain, tissue damage, or implant failure
Easy-Out Bunion Procedure with SafetyFix® Hardware
At Feet for Life, we believe in a more natural path to healing. That’s why our Easy-Out Bunion Procedure uses SafetyFix® hardware, which is removable, biocompatible, and designed for easy in-office extraction once your bones are fully healed. This ensures you’re not left with unnecessary foreign material in your body—just restored movement and lasting relief.
Did you know?
While humans evolved to walk upright, our feet haven’t always kept up with the pressure of modern hard surfaces and narrow footwear. A bunion is essentially your big toe joint “collapsing” under the weight of your stride.
The good news? Because it’s a structural misalignment and not a permanent bone growth, it can be precision-realigned. You aren’t stuck with it—you just need a structural “reset.”
Bunion Causes and Diagnostics
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion isn’t just a “bump”—it’s a structural misalignment of your bone. Creams, spacers, and wide shoes only mask the pain. To truly fix the silhouette of your foot and stop the progression, the bone must be realigned. Our approach does this with cosmetic precision so your foot looks as good as it feels.
Is the Easy-Out Procedure Right For You?
This procedure is specifically designed for patients who want a higher standard of care:
- You want to avoid permanent metal implants in your body.
- You can’t afford weeks of “couch time” or using crutches.
- You want a cosmetic result with minimal, hidden scarring.
- You are ready to wear normal shoes again without joint pain.
Our Surgical Approach: The Easy-Out Bunion Procedure
The SafetyFix® Screws
Our procedure is built around precision and patient comfort. We use a keyhole (small incision) technique to reduce trauma to the surrounding tissue and minimize scarring. During the procedure, temporary hardware helps hold the bones in their corrected position as they heal. Unlike traditional implants, SafetyFix® screws are fully removable—taken out in a short office visit approximately 90 days after surgery.
What to Expect During a Consultation
We view the surgical consultation as an opportunity to educate and empower. At your visit, we’ll take the time to clearly explain:
Why incision size matters and how small incision surgery works
- How the bone will be realigned (osteotomy technique)
- What type of fixation will be used and how it will be removed
- What recovery looks like day-by-day—including footwear, movement, and follow-up care
What Makes Our Procedure Different?
- No casts or crutches — Most patients walk immediately after surgery
- Minimal scarring — Smaller incisions and advanced closure techniques reduce visible scarring
- No permanent metal — SafetyFix® hardware is removed in-office after healing
- Faster recovery — Return to desk work in just a few days
- Feet for Life is the one of the only podiatric practices in the country offering this approach
Explore our detailed video walkthroughs
Already Had Bunion Surgery—But Still in Pain?
If you’ve undergone bunion surgery in the past but are still experiencing pain, limited movement, or discomfort from metal implants, we may be able to help. Many patients come to us seeking revision surgery after a poor outcome elsewhere. Our approach is focused on restoring alignment and improving your long-term comfort.
Bunion FAQ
This FAQ about bunions is designed to address common questions like: symptoms, causes, how bunions are graded, and more facility specific questions.
Genetics are the primary reason for disposition to bunions. Ill-fitting shoes are the second main cause for this foot deformity. Bunions typically develop slowly over time and then reach a point where they worsen rapidly. Some develop a bunion in their teens, whereas others develop them much later in life.
Bunions usually become worse over time. They can be aggravated by:
- tight or too-small shoes that cause your toes to crowd together and put pressure on your big toe
- shoes that have high heels or pointy toes — these styles force your toes together
- standing for long periods of time
- arthritis symptoms in your feet
In general, the severity of the bunion is determined by a radiographic measurement called the intermetatarsal angle (or metatarsal angle). An angle is created between the 1st metatarsal bone and the 2nd metatarsal bone. The wider the angle the worse the bunion. Normal: 0-8 degrees Mild: 9-12 degrees Moderate: 13-15 degrees Large: 16-18 degrees Severe: 18+ degrees. Sometimes the metatarsal angle may be misleading if all the bones are angulated, and this falsely lowers the angle making the bunion appear less severe. It’s important to account for this when evaluating bunion radiographs.
Keyhole forefoot surgery is also referred to as small incision surgery. This unique approach allows surgery to be performed through small 2cm incisions in the skin, instead of the conventional 5 to 10 cm or longer wound necessary for surgery through a larger open wound. The surgeons at Feet for Life Podiatry Centers also use removable fixation hardware that will be easily removed approximately 90 days after surgery. There is no crutch walking and patients can return to desk jobs in an average of three days.
The benefits of small incision and conventional surgery are consistent – deformities of the forefoot can be corrected with the same precision. Patients feel that they have less swelling after keyhole surgery and often have less pain. The appearance is also very important. Evidence of a scar is greatly minimized with this smaller incision complimented by the cosmetic closing techniques used by our surgeons.
Note: Small incision is not the same as MIS (minimal incision) surgery. Small incision surgery uses conventional techniques and is still performed open. This allows for precise bone cuts and placement of fixation. There are times with both “small incision” and “MIS” techniques are combined to achieve the desired results.
Please refer to our Insurance Information Page.
Yes. We actually encourage you to get a virtual consultation prior to travelling. Please use this page to schedule yourself with Dr. H.
Testimonials, Videos, Photos
What Our Patients Are Saying
Before and After Photos
Bunion patient
5 Stars for Feet For Life Podiatry! Dr. Shah is amazing. I was extremely nervous to have bunion correction on my right foot. Dr. Shah took the time to explain everything. The easy out Bunion Procedure combines a small incision and removable hardware, leaving no metal in the body. Very little pain after! I am so happy with the results. My foot looks great and I feel awesome knowing I took care of my bunion. No more pain. I will have Dr. Shah take care of bunion number 2 on left foot too!
Bunion patient
I love Dr. Horowitz! I researched him before I had my bunion surgeries on both feet and found him to be one of the best around. I had the surgeries three weeks apart, and I am now ready for the stitches to be taken out on the 2nd foot. I can’t say enough good things about him or his staff at both facilities. I am giving this review before the final billing comes in and hope I do not have a problem with the anesthesiologist bill like I’ve heard from other reviewers, I will keep my fingers crossed.
Bunion patient
Dr. Horwitz exudes confidence and I’m pleased to say that confidence is justified. Here I am, six weeks out from my first serious bunion surgery, three weeks from my second, and I’m back in regular shoes, feeling great and so grateful I trusted him with my care. Everyone connected with the practice was kind, thorough and competent. I was able to schedule appointments easily and quickly and was always seen promptly. I would absolutely encourage friends and family to go here for any foot issues.
Ready to Walk Without Pain?
Whether bunions have been bothering you for years or you’re just starting to notice symptoms, our team is here to help you move with ease and confidence.
We’ve performed over 50,000 foot surgeries, and we bring decades of combined experience in surgical correction and personalized recovery planning.
