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"No Scars, Fast Recovery, and a Return to Daily Life": Why Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hallux Valgus is Gaining Attention

Many people suffer from hallux valgus but hesitate to decide on surgery. Concerns about scars remaining after the procedure, the burden of a long recovery period, and the fear of surgery itself often delay the decision for treatment. However, surgery for hallux valgus has advanced significantly in recent years, with Minimally Invasive Chevron & Akin Osteotomy (MICA) at the center of this progress. By correcting deformed bones through just a few small holes and allowing a quick return to daily life, many patients who once hesitated now have a new viable option.

Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus is a surgical method that corrects the alignment of deformed bones by inserting special instruments through three to four microscopic incisions in the skin. Because the bones are precisely moved, repositioned, and stably fixed while being monitored through real-time imaging devices, soft tissue damage is minimized compared to traditional open surgery, and almost no scarring remains. The surgery time is short, taking about 20 to 30 minutes, and after an average hospitalization of about two days, patients can wear corrective shoes and walk starting the day after surgery. Simultaneous surgery on both feet is also possible. This method offers high satisfaction, particularly for office workers or business owners who require a fast return to their daily routines.

The reason minimally invasive surgery is gaining attention is not simply because the incision site is small. The core lies in accurately correcting the fundamental cause of the deformity while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissues. While less post-operative pain and swelling and a faster recovery are clear advantages for the patient's return to daily life, what is more important is that accurate angular correction must be achieved to ensure long-term surgical success and prevent recurrence. Consequently, the skill and experience of the surgeon greatly influence the surgical outcome.

Director Hong-Joon Choi of Seoul Gunwoo Orthopedic Clinic, located near Gangil Station in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, emphasizes, "Minimally invasive surgery is a technically very precise procedure. The experience and skill of the surgeon determine the results during the process of correcting the bones at an accurate angle while viewing real-time images. A good surgical method does not guarantee good results for all patients; rather, an accurate plan tailored to the patient's condition and skilled execution must be combined."

Director Hong-Joon Choi holds a Ph.D. from Korea University and is a foot and ankle specialist who served as an exchange professor at the Foot and Ankle Center of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and as a professor at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital. He also personally authored chapters as a co-author of the revised medical textbook "Foot and Ankle" published by the Korean Foot and Ankle Society. Based on his clinical experience of treating over 80,000 foot and ankle patients and performing approximately 9,000 surgeries, he focuses on performing minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus according to the patient's condition and needs.

However, minimally invasive surgery is not suitable for every hallux valgus patient. In cases where the deformity is severe or accompanied by complex foot structure problems, open osteotomy may be more appropriate. Open osteotomy has the advantage of allowing precise correction through direct vision and having a low recurrence rate. Director Choi explains, "One cannot definitively say which surgical method is better. The correct treatment is selecting the safest and most suitable method by comprehensively considering the patient's angle of deformity, overall foot structure, age, and activity level."

After surgery, the duration of wearing corrective shoes varies depending on individual recovery speed, followed by a step-by-step transition to regular shoes. The completion of treatment involves preventing recurrence and continuing the recovery of long-term walking function through regular follow-up appointments and rehabilitation management. Seoul Gunwoo Orthopedic Clinic manages the entire process before and after surgery so that patients can safely return to their daily lives.

If you are experiencing discomfort due to hallux valgus, please receive an accurate diagnosis before the deformity progresses further. Dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all foot and ankle disorders—including hallux valgus, ankle ligament and cartilage damage, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, ankle arthritis, Morton's neuroma, and tailor's bunion—Seoul Gunwoo Orthopedic Clinic does its best for the foot health of patients in the Hanam and Misa areas, centered around Gangil Station in Gangdong-gu.

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