Get Back on Your Feet: Help for Patients with Bunions

Bunions can make everyday activities like walking, exercising, or even wearing shoes extremely uncomfortable. A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe when the joint becomes misaligned. Over time, the big toe drifts toward the smaller toes, causing the joint to protrude and become painful. Bunions can develop for a variety of reasons, including inherited foot structure, improper footwear (especially narrow or high-heeled shoes), arthritis, or repeated stress on the foot. As the deformity progresses, the joint can become increasingly swollen and sore.

How Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy Can Help

Dr. Theodore Guild, a foot and ankle surgeon who recently joined our team, offers Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy (Bunion Deformity Correction), an innovative procedure designed to correct bunion deformities with less disturbance of the skin and soft tissues than open surgery. Traditionally, bunion correction has involved a large incision along the side of the foot. The minimally invasive approach requires incisions of just 1cm or less, through which Dr. Guild uses specialized instruments to reshape the deformity. This reduces tissue disruption, wound complications, and post-operative pain.

Dr. Guild performs the procedure at NECOS, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and York Hospital, making it accessible to patients in several communities.

Who is a Good Candidate for the Procedure?

If you’re dealing with persistent bunion pain that hasn’t improved with non-surgical treatments like toe spacers, shoe modifications, or splints, minimally invasive bunionectomy may be the right treatment for you. Dr. Guild encourages patients not to wait until pain limits daily life. When a painful bunion prevents you from being able to do the things you enjoy recreationally, or that you need to do regularly, it’s time to come in for an evaluation and begin a conversation about the best treatment approach.

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is committed to utilizing the latest surgical techniques to improve patient care, comfort, and outcomes. If you’re suffering from a painful bunion, take the first step towards better foot health and schedule a consultation with Dr. Guild today.

Meet Dr. Theodore Guild – Foot & Ankle Surgeon

Atlantic Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is excited to welcome Dr. Theodore Guild to our team! A fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgeon, Dr. Guild brings clinical excellence and a passion for patient-centered care to our community. He specializes in treating the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, from sports-related injuries and fractures to arthritis and chronic deformity.

Beyond his technical expertise, Dr. Guild finds getting to know his patients and their lives the most rewarding part of his job. “Having the opportunity to be someone’s teammate and advocate throughout their healing journey makes this work truly gratifying,” he shared.

From an early age, Dr. Guild was drawn to physical, constructive work – building decks with his dad, and working in both landscaping and farming as a teen. That love of hands-on work, combined with his experience as an EMT during college, led to his interest in medicine. It was through his post-college job as an Emergency Room Technician working alongside orthopaedic residents that Dr. Guild found his true calling in orthopaedics, where he could combine technical skill, problem-solving, and meaningful patient care.

Dr. Guild’s approach is rooted in collaboration—starting with non-operative treatments whenever possible and offering surgery only when truly necessary. For patients who do require surgery, he is proud to bring Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) to the Seacoast. Using incisions just millimeters long, MIS allows for less scarring, quicker recovery, and reduced pain. For advanced ankle arthritis, he also offers Total Ankle Arthroplasty (ankle replacement surgery) to restore movement and improve quality of life.

When asked what made him want to join the practice at Atlantic Orthopaedics, Dr. Guild said it was the genuine, caring nature of the entire staff—from front office to clinical teams—that drew him in and made our practice a natural fit. Outside of work, Dr. Guild can be found exploring the local trails on his gravel bike, hiking, skiing, or kayaking with his wife exploring the beautiful coasts and mountains of New Hampshire and Maine.

Atlantic Orthopaedics is thrilled to expand access to advanced foot and ankle care in the Seacoast and help our patients get back to the activities they love. If you’re suffering from a foot and ankle injury or condition, schedule a consultation with Dr. Guild today.

Innovative ACL Surgery for Athletes

An ACL injury can sideline an athlete for months, but fortunately, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Abigail Boduch is successfully treating patients with an innovative approach to ACL reconstruction. The all-soft tissue quadriceps autograft is a cutting-edge technique that uses grafts from the quadriceps tendon, and offers numerous benefits, including a reduced risk of arthritis and decreased pain when bending or kneeling. Notably, the procedure eliminates the need to use bone from the patella, reducing the fracture risks associated with the traditional method. As the number of ACL injuries among high school and college athletes continues to rise–especially among female athletes–this approach is likely to be more widely adopted.

Why the Quad Graft Technique Stands Out

For female athletes, the quad graft technique can be a game changer. Emerging research highlights the differences in how ACL injuries impact male and female athletes, and studies suggest that females benefit significantly from this approach. With female athletes being three to six times more likely than males to suffer ACL tears, innovative solutions like this are crucial for addressing the unique challenges they face.

Additionally, Dr. Boduch’s ability to tailor her surgery to the individual sets her apart. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all graft for ACL reconstruction, her personalized approach maximizes success for each patient. Factors such as the patient’s activity level, age, and injury specifics guide her choice of graft, providing a truly customized surgical solution.

Why It Matters Now

ACL injuries are reaching “epidemic” levels among young athletes, making prevention and effective treatment more important than ever. Dr. Boduch recommends programs like the FIFA 11 injury prevention program, which has been proven to reduce ACL injury risks.

However, if an injury does occur, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Signs of an ACL injury include knee swelling, difficulty bending or extending the leg, and pain after an injury. Athletes experiencing these symptoms should consult an orthopedic specialist to assess the damage and explore treatment options.

Meet Dr. Abigail Boduch

Dr. Boduch is a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon at Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. With expertise in Sports Medicine and Trauma, she specializes in treating injuries of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. Her areas of expertise include the treatment of tendon, ligament, cartilage, and other soft tissue injuries through both arthroscopic and open approaches, as well as trauma care focused on fractures of the extremities.

By offering state-of-the-art procedures like the quad graft ACL reconstruction, Dr. Boduch is helping athletes return to their sport stronger and with a reduced risk of future complications. Her individualized approach ensures every patient receives the care and attention they need to get back in the game.

If you or someone you know has experienced a knee injury or wants to learn more about sports injury prevention and treatment options, reach out today!

Bringing Multispecialty Expertise to Dover, NH

When it comes to orthopedic care, residents of Dover and the surrounding areas have plenty of options to choose from. But if you’re looking for a practice that delivers a unique combination of multispecialty expertise, compassion and patient-focused care, Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine stands out. With a team of surgeons and specialists who treat the full range of orthopedic issues, including fractures and trauma, arthritis, pain management, and arthroscopic and joint replacement surgeries, AOSM offers an unmatched level of comprehensive care.

Unlike other practices that may focus on one or two areas like knees and hips, our highly skilled team brings a diverse range of specialties that cover the entire musculoskeletal system–from the neck and spine to shoulders, elbows and wrists, to knees, hips, feet and ankles. Our orthopedic surgeons bring a wealth of knowledge gleaned from top universities, world class residencies, and prestigious fellowships. Knee and hip specialist Dr. Akhilesh Sastry is recognized as the first surgeon to perform a robotic-assisted total knee replacement in New Hampshire and was among the first 15 surgeons to perform the operation worldwide. The newest addition to our team, Dr. Abigail Boduch, completed her Orthopedic Surgery Residency and Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship at Brown University, a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, then served as assistant team physician to the Pittsburgh Steelers before returning to her home state of NH to join our practice. This breadth of experience means that patients receive complete, cohesive care in one place, ensuring that treatment is coordinated between providers and handled by someone who truly understands their unique condition and goals.

Another benefit that sets Atlantic Orthopaedics apart is the level of care and compassion our team offers. As the largest physician-owned orthopedic practice in New Hampshire, we are uniquely equipped to prioritize patient experience. When physicians, rather than executives, determine how a practice is run, it fundamentally changes the approach to care, allowing for a more personal touch. Our doctors themselves shape the way care is delivered and have put systems and processes in place that put patients first. From consultation to treatment to recovery, our team is dedicated to providing the best possible patient experience, while maintaining the highest standards of medical care.

Choosing Atlantic Orthopaedics means choosing a practice that’s genuinely invested in the well-being of every patient. It means being treated by the best doctors around, whose comprehensive expertise and commitment to compassionate care truly sets them apart. We believe in taking the time to really listen to our patients, to understand their unique needs, so we create a treatment plan that aligns with their goals and lifestyle. Whether you’re an athlete dealing with a sports injury or someone managing chronic joint pain, Atlantic Orthopaedics is here to provide the care and support you need to feel your best. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you get back to doing what you love, pain-free.

To stay updated on announcements and our opening date at the new Dover location, sign up for our email list here!

Read what our patients have to say:

“Recently had my 2nd hip replacement procedure by Dr. Sastry and Dr. Cusson. These guys do a great job! Was again impressed by their expertise. Also, all staff associates at their surgical center were terrific. Like my 1st operation, I’m hoping to be back on the tennis court within 10 weeks. Thank you Atlantic!” – Steven G.

“You will not find a doctor better than Dr. Lehn. Always makes you feel comfortable about the procedure you are having and always takes the time to answer your questions. So grateful to have his expertise in treating my back issues.” – Joanne P.

“Doctor McMahon is great. He spent time explaining the procedure, listened and answered all my questions. It was an excellent experience.” – Ed P.