Minimally Invasive

Bunion and Hammertoe Surgery

A Smaller Surgery for a Faster, Easier Recovery

‍If bunions or hammertoes are making it painful to walk or you’re embarrassed to wear open shoes, you’re not alone. However, the idea of major foot surgery may be holding you back from getting the relief you need.

At DD Podiatry, we offer minimally invasive surgery for bunions and hammertoes so you can get relief with smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery.

Request a Bunion and Hammertoe Consultation Appointment

before and after of minimally invasive bunion surgery in bethesda and mclean

About Minimally Invasive Surgery

Bunions and hammertoes don’t just change the way your feet look — they can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty finding comfortable shoes. For years, traditional surgery meant large incisions, long recovery times, and weeks off your feet. Today, patients have a better option: minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Using advanced techniques and tiny incisions, MIS for bunions and hammertoes corrects deformities with less pain, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic results.

Understanding Bunions and Hammertoes

Bunions are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, caused by misalignment of the joint. Over time, they lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing shoes.
Hammertoes occur when the smaller toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, often due to muscle imbalance, pressure from footwear, or structural foot problems.

Both conditions can worsen over time, leading to persistent pain, corns, calluses, and limitations in daily activity.

What Is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery uses specialized instruments and small incisions — often just a few millimeters long — to realign bones and correct deformities. Instead of cutting through large areas of soft tissue, MIS preserves healthy structures while still correcting the problem.

Live X-ray guidance is used during the procedure to ensure precision. This approach reduces trauma, speeds healing, and provides a more cosmetically pleasing result compared to traditional open surgery.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Bunions & Hammertoes

Smaller incisions – Tiny openings mean less scarring
Reduced pain and swelling – Less trauma to tissue and bone
Faster recovery – Patient are able to walk the same day of surgery
Improved cosmetic outcome – Minimal scarring and more natural foot appearance
Lower risk of complications – Preservation of soft tissue improves healing
Outpatient procedure – Usually performed in-office or surgical center, no hospital stay required

What to Expect with MIS Bunion & Hammertoe Surgery

Before surgery: You’ll have an evaluation, X-rays, and a personalized surgical plan.
Day of surgery: The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, so recovery is more comfortable.
Recovery: Patients usually walk in a surgical shoe the same day. Stitches may be minimal or not needed, and swelling is significantly reduced compared to open surgery.
Long-term results: Once healed, patients enjoy straighter toes, improved function, and the ability to wear a wider variety of footwear comfortably.

Our Bunion and Hammertoe Surgeon

Dr. Nam Tran is a board-certified podiatrist specializing in minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe correction. He earned his doctorate at The New York College of Podiatric Medicine before training at the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., one of the country’s most prestigious foot and ankle surgical residencies. Dr. Tran advances the field of bunion and hammertoe correction with his micro-incision, no screw technique.

Request a Bunion and Hammertoe Consultation Appointment

More about Minimally Invasive Bunion and Hammertoe Surgery

Conditions We Treat with Minimally Invasive Surgery

We specialize in gentle surgical correction for:

Bunions – painful bone bumps at the base of the big toe

Hammertoes – curled or stiff middle toe joints that rub against shoes

Other foot issues that can cause discomfort, corns, or gait changes

Why Patients Choose This Option

Minimal scarring – small incisions heal quickly and are barely visible

Reduced swelling and pain – allow for faster return to daily activity

In-office or outpatient procedure – no overnight stay needed

Walk the same day – for most procedures, you can walk out the same day

Is Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for You?

We’ll walk you through your options during a consultation. Many patients who were hesitant about surgery are surprised at how quick and easy recovery can be with modern techniques.

Choose The Right Surgeon

Dr. Nam Tran has been a leader in minimally invasive bunion surgery in Bethesda, Maryland. As one of the first and few surgeons to offer this in Bethesda and Washington DC, he offers his patients the experience that is needed to provided results that will get patients back on their feet and in their shoes.