Conditions / Bunions
Bunion Treatment & Bunion Surgery in Mission Viejo
Expert care for painful bunions, from footwear and custom orthotics to minimally invasive bunion surgery with Dr. Ben McGrath, a dual board-certified foot and ankle surgeon.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe as the joint shifts out of alignment. Left untreated, bunions can grow more painful and make footwear uncomfortable.
Common signs include a bump on the side of the big toe, redness or soreness over the joint, the big toe leaning toward the second toe, and shoes that rub or feel tight. Some people also develop a hammertoe next to the bunion.
Your Options, Explained Plainly
Every plan starts with an evaluation of your foot, how you walk and what you want to get back to.
Non-Surgical Care
- Footwear guidance to reduce pressure on the joint
- Custom orthotics to support the foot and slow progression
- A clear plan for when symptoms should be re-checked
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
- Incisions just a few millimeters long
- Performed in-office with real-time X-ray guidance
- Most patients walk the same day in a surgical shoe
- Usually no cast or crutches
Why Patients Choose Alto for Bunions
Dr. Ben McGrath, DPM, FACFAS, is a dual board-certified foot and ankle surgeon whose focus includes minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe correction. He completed a three-year foot and ankle surgical residency at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he served as Chief Resident.
Visits are unhurried, you have direct access to your surgeon, and care is available in English and Spanish. Patients come from Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente, and beyond.
Direct-Pay Pricing, Listed Up Front
Alto is a direct-pay practice. We do not bill insurance, payment is collected at the time of your visit, and HSA, FSA and payment plans are available.
Office Visits
Pricing reflects current rates and will be confirmed during your first consultation. You have the right to receive a written Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.
Bunions FAQ
Not always. A bunion is a structural change in the big toe joint, so footwear changes and custom orthotics can ease pressure and may slow progression, but they do not reverse the bump. When pain keeps limiting your activities or your shoes, Dr. McGrath will talk through whether correction makes sense for you.
It corrects the bunion through incisions just a few millimeters long instead of a large opening. At Alto it is performed in the in-office procedure suite with real-time X-ray guidance, and most patients walk the same day in a surgical shoe, without a cast or crutches.
Alto uses fixed-fee pricing for minimally invasive surgery. Your exact fee is confirmed in writing before your procedure, after your consultation. The new patient consultation is $275 and includes X-ray and ultrasound as indicated.
Alto is a direct-pay practice and does not bill insurance. HSA and FSA funds can be used, and payment plans are available.
Yes. Patients travel from across Southern California, other states, Canada and Mexico. Destination Alto Bunion is a program built for patients flying in for minimally invasive bunion correction, about 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
Start with a Quick Call
A quick 10-minute call to answer your bunion questions, explain pricing and schedule your visit with Dr. McGrath.