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Ghost Bunionectomy: Eliminating Metal from Bunion Surgery
Recent statistics show that 81% of people experience foot pain. One common cause of this pain is bunions (hallux valgus). a deformity of your big toe joint. But another source of pain is often the metal screws and plates used in surgery for decades. So I decided to do something about it.
For over 25 years, I have been refining bunion surgery. And now I’ve developed three proprietary bunion surgery techniques that enables me to remove all metal from bunion surgery, for most patients, no matter how severe their bunion is.
My name is Bob Bavarian. I am not your typical podiatrist. I am a Board-Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist [ABFAS® Board Certified in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (RRA)], and I am one of the few foot and ankle surgeons to hold both foot and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle certifications as a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
After completing my three-year residency at the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, foot and ankle trauma, and diabetic limb salvage, I joined the podiatry team at UCLA before founding the University Foot and Ankle Institute, which is affiliated with the Balance Health brand.
I will discuss the three techniques that help me develop the ideal treatment plan for each patient and why I have named them the “Ghost Bunion NO METAL Triple.”
Why the name “ghost bunion”?
Typically, traditional bunion surgery requires the use of metal screws, staples, and plates. However, postoperatively, this equipment can cause problems. Therefore, when developing the ideal bunion treatment, one of my criteria was to design options that eliminate the need for metal hardware.
I collaborated with a company to create a biocompatible, fiber-based product that naturally integrates with your bone over a two-year period, eliminating the need for metal.
Once the material is incorporated and gone, there’s nothing left behind to irritate your body. After two years, it is as if no surgery has been performed at all. Hence the name “ghost bunion.”
This proprietary technology is as strong as metal when inserted, but actually becomes stronger over time as it attaches to and integrates with your bone. This is known as the “sticky factor.” It enhances strength and accelerates healing in bone and bunion surgery, leading to faster recovery times.
So, what replaces the traditional metal bunion surgical hardware?
Our proprietary ghost bunion fiber material is shaped into pins, screws, and staples that replace traditional metal components.
This allows the material to bond with the bone over a period of two years through a process called bio-integration. It also reduces swelling and pain, promoting faster and stronger healing with less swelling compared to metal. The end result is less bone loss.
Why are there three “Ghost Bunion surgeries?”
In my career, I have discovered there is no one type of bunion surgery that is right for all bunion patients. This fact was not overlooked as I developed the Ghost Bunion NO METAL Bunionectomy. I designed a range of metal bunion surgeries to treat all types of bunions, from the simplest and smallest to the most complex, largest, and even bunion revision cases.
By offering three types of bunion surgery, we can customize the procedure to each patient’s specific bunion deformity and needs. Since no single procedure works perfectly for every patient, selecting the right treatment plan is crucial for correcting any deformity and alleviating bunion pain.
The three types of Ghost Bunionectomy procedures we perform are:
The Ghost Bunion Osteotomy Procedure
Our most common procedure is a ghost bunion osteotomy. This surgery is performed through a small incision on the side of the big toe. The incision provides access to the joint, allowing for the removal of spurs and excess bone, realignment of the bone with a cut, and stabilization with our fiber screw and pin.
Usually, this procedure involves an amniotic injection to help prevent scar tissue formation. Sometimes, we use a bone marrow aspirate if arthritis is present in the joint.
Our Ghost Bunion Osteotomy enables immediate weight-bearing in a boot and allows for a return to activity within 4-6 weeks.
The Ghost Bunion Minimally Invasive Procedure
Our second option is our minimally invasive ghost bunion procedure. In this procedure, we use three small incisions to cut the bone and realign the bunion without opening the joint. We still utilize our fiber screw fixation, which becomes incorporated into the bone over a period of two years. This procedure reduces swelling and scar tissue.
Just like the ghost bunion osteotomy, the minimally invasive option allows for immediate weight bearing in a boot, and we use an amniotic injection to promote tissue healing and prevent scar formation. Patients typically return to wearing shoes at 6 weeks.
This option is not used in all bunion surgeries, especially if the joint is poorly aligned or the toe is significantly shifted.
The Ghost Bunion Lapidus Bunionectomy
Our most complex ghost bunion surgery is the Lapidus Ghost Bunionectomy. In this procedure, we realign the bone without cutting it. To do this, we stabilize the bone at its base to the midfoot (base of the big toe).
In this case, we utilize our non-metal, fiber screw and staple fixation system. We combine it with a bone marrow stem cell injection and an amniotic injection to help heal the bone and stabilize the toe in the correct position.
Our Lapidus Ghost Bunionectomy is used in cases of severe bunions or large and unstable bunions. Usually, it is the best option in revision cases where a patient’s previous bunion surgery has failed.
The recovery period is the longest for this procedure. You will use crutches, specifically a spring-loaded style, for additional comfort for 2 weeks. Then, you will spend 4-6 weeks in a weight-bearing boot before progressing to shoes.
Additional treatment improvements
My three ghost bunion procedures were a significant improvement in using minimally invasive bunion surgery to correct bunion deformities and give pain relief. However, it was not enough for me. I wanted to investigate what additional measures could be taken to expedite patient recovery and reduce the need for crutches, casts, and non-weight-bearing devices.
After designing the triplex of procedures, I sought to identify the primary causes of bunion problems following surgery and develop strategies to address and mitigate these issues and complications. These include stiffness of the big toe joint, incision healing, swelling, time on crutches, and the need for a cast.
I have worked with individual companies to design patient-specific products. These products help me achieve the ideal outcome for my patients. For example:
- A bone marrow stem, stem cell, or plasma concentrate—useful in large and complex cases, as well as arthritis cases, which may require a boost for healing.
- An amniotic stem cell injection—used to enhance tissue healing and prevent stiffness and scar tissue around the joint, thereby improving the range of motion of the big toe; this injection also helps reduce pain and swelling.
- Our boots—designed to be the most comfortable and easy to walk in after surgery, so we rarely need to use a cast.
- When crutches are required, we can often reduce the recovery time from 6-8 weeks to just 2 weeks; in many cases, crutches are not needed at all.
Why are non-metal bunion procedures so important?
The introduction of metal pins and screws was a major advancement 50 years ago. Metal fixation improved alignment, reduced pain, and allowed for faster recovery and earlier weight-bearing. Non-metal bunionectomy builds on these benefits while avoiding the drawbacks of hardware.
However, metal implants can sometimes trigger an allergic or foreign body reaction. And while screws are most secure when first inserted, they often loosen over time. This can cause pain if the screw shifts within the bone or even backs out completely. In many cases, the hardware must be removed, necessitating a second surgery and incurring additional costs.
What are the advantages of non-metal bunion surgery?
Dr. Bob Baravarian’s NO METAL Bunion surgery combines the best advances in bunion correction with innovative, biointegrative fiber material that replaces metal. Unlike traditional hardware, the fiber naturally bonds with bone, adds stability during recovery, and is fully replaced by bone within two years—essentially doing its job and then disappearing. Thanks to its unique “sticky factor,” the material adheres to surrounding bone, becoming stronger and more stable as you get more active, which means faster healing, less swelling, and little to no pain for many patients.
To further enhance recovery, Dr. Bob combines the fiber material with amniotic and bone marrow stem cells to promote healing and treat arthritis. Finally, he customizes the procedure to each bunion type and provides supportive post-operative shoes, boots, and crutches for a quicker and safer return to daily life.
What does “holistic no metal bunion surgery” mean to you?
The biggest improvement is this: Nothing is too big or complicated for us to handle.
We have refined these procedures over the past decade to make them the best possible options for achieving optimal results and shorter, smoother healing periods with reduced pain. We take the time to assess your personal situation, so we can give you our best medical advice.
Our goal is simple: choose the right procedure, perfect it for every patient, and get you back to your life with as little downtime, risk, and issues as possible.
