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Frequently Asked
Questions

Discover answers to common bunion questions and learn about our specialized products and procedures below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Poor fitting shoes may contribute to the deformity as it can push the toe into an unnatural position. Over time, the soft tissue in your foot may become accustomed to the new positioning and cause a worsening deformity.

Bunion deformities are progressive conditions which may not improve without intervention. Addressing these deformities early before arthritic changes begin to take place in the toe may allow for interventions which do not require fusions or other more invasive procedures.

This is dependent on your surgeon’s recommendation and procedure utilized. Please see product pages for their timelines.

Coverage is dependent upon the provider. The Phantom® MIS procedure is a bunion correction procedure, which is a common occurrence for insurers.

Surgeons are using the Phantom® MIS procedure to address previously failed operations as well as primary surgical intervention.

The Paragon 28® Phantom® Intramedullary Nail System implants are not designed or sold for any use except as indicated. Use of the Phantom® Intramedullary Nail System is contraindicated in the following situations:

  • Active, suspected or latent infection in the affected area
  • Patients who are physiologically or psychologically inadequate
  • Patients previously sensitized to titanium
  • Longitudinal splits or longitudinal fractures
  • Insufficient quantity or quality of bone to permit stabilization, conditions that retard healing (not including pathological fractures) and conditions causing poor blood supply
  • Open epiphyseal plates
  • In patients where there is a possibility for conservative treatment
  • Indications not included in the INDICATIONS FOR USE

The procedure is usually performed with a local anesthetic block and sedation.  The procedure may take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours and may be completed in an outpatient setting so you can return home the same day.  

Surgeons are being trained every week on this novel procedure.  To find a surgeon near you, please utilize our surgeon finder tool.

Depending on your surgeon’s post-operative care plan, you may be placed in a cast for the first few days to properly heal, which will limit any weight-bearing. Your surgeon will then move you into a partial weight-bearing boot for the duration of your healing process, which could lead up to 4-6 weeks post-surgery before you can start to place weight on your foot in comfortable shoes.

Sutures are typically removed two weeks following the surgery and if the surgeon pins the toe, the pin can be removed at two to four weeks following the surgery.  

With the Phantom® MIS procedure, you will notice significantly less scarring as compared to traditional approaches. These scars can be easily treated to lessen any long-term cosmetic outcomes with the Phantom® MIS procedure.

All restrictions related to shoes are at the discretion of your surgeon. Patients may return to normal footwear in as few as 4-6 weeks.

Type in your zip code or city below to locate a nearby doctor experienced in modern bunion solutions provided by Paragon 28®.

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Important Risk Info

Only a surgeon can tell if the Phantom® Intramedullary Nail, Phantom® MIS Procedure and/or Precision® MIS Bunion System is right for you. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. Potential risks include but are not limited to infection, discomfort, or swelling due to balancing and introduction of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction. Refer to full list of warnings precautions, and contraindications within the Phantom® Small Bone Intramedullary Nail and Precision® MIS Bunion System Instructions for Use at https://paragon28.com/ifus/

The surgeon information listed in the Surgeon Finder is provided for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement or warranty of any particular surgeon. The database does not include an exhaustive list of all surgeons within a particular geographic area or all surgeons who use/have used a Paragon 28® product. Only those who have expressly subscribed to be listed on the site and are confirmed to be either Paragon 28® trained and/or experienced are included. These are the only criteria for inclusion. Paragon 28® does not pay a fee or any other type of remuneration for participation. Choice of surgeon should be solely based upon a patient’s own investigation of a particular surgeon’s training, education, experience and reputation.

For the contraindications, potential complications and adverse reactions, warnings and precautions associated with this device, please refer to the device specific instructions for use here.

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Cronin, S., Conti, M., Williams, N., & Ellis, S. J. (2020). Relationship Between Demographic and Radiographic Characteristics and Second Ray Pathology in Hallux Valgus Patients. Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2473011420909088

Lai, M. C., Rikhraj, I. S., Woo, Y. L., Yeo, W., Ng, Y. C. S., & Koo, K. (2018). Clinical and Radiological Outcomes Comparing Percutaneous Chevron-Akin Osteotomies vs Open Scarf-Akin Osteotomies for Hallux Valgus. Foot & Ankle International, 39(3), 311–317. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1071100717745282

Peterson KS, McAlister JE, Hyer CF, Thompson J. Symptomatic Hardware Removal After First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2016;55(1):55-59.doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2015.06.001

Prieto-Diaz, C., Anderle, M. R., Brinker, L. Z., Allard, R., & Leasure, J. (2019). Biomechanical Comparison of First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis Constructs Over Prolonged Cyclic Testing. Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2473011419892240