What to know about minimally invasive bunion surgery

By Mr Vail Karuppiah
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Vail Karuppiah is a leading consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in Nottingham who specialises in foot and ankle surgery. His specialities are minimally-invasive bunion surgery, first MTP joint replacement and adult-acquired flat foot as well as ankle replacement, keyhole surgery for plantar fasciitis and foot and ankle deformity correction. He privately practices at the Woodthorpe Hospital, Nottingham, and his NHS base in Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust.        

Mr Karuppiah, who is the only surgeon to offer minimally-invasive surgery to treat bunions in East Midlands region, advocates for individualised surgery and professional care for his patients. He uses keyhole surgery for the management of bunion correction and believes that the advantages of this procedure allows for patients' early recovery. Furthermore, they have signifcantly less time off work and fewer complications.

Mr Karuppiah's practice takes a holistic approach where surgery is just one part of what's required for patients to regain their quality of life. His subspecialties also include rheumatoid foot and ankle, diabetic foot and tendo-achilles treatment as well as ankle ligament reconstruction, ankle arthroscopy and big toe arthritis (Hallux Rigidus).    

Mr Karuppiah has an MBBS in Medicine from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and went on to begin his surgical career in Scotland. He completed his further training on the National Orthopaedic Training Programme in the East Midlands, working at various hospitals including the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton and King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield. He also did international fellowships in South Africa and Australia. 

Complementing Mr Karrupiah's clinical practice and educational history, he has an esteemed teaching and academic research career. He was a clinical tutor at the University of Aberdeen, has had his work published in respected international journals and regularly organises and presents at national and international seminars.

He is a fellow (FRCS) of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and also a member of the esteemed organisation (MRCS), alongside the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS), British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and the British Medical Association (BMA).

Overall assessment of their patients