Please read our statement on COVID-19 here.

Common Conditions

Bunion Deformity

Bunion Specialist

Bunion surgery is a complex and highly specialized surgical discipline. It’s crucial when selecting a foot specialist to evaluate their credentials and qualifications. Dr. Livingston is a foot surgeon who specializes in bunion treatments. Don’t suffer in pain, Livingston Podiatry Associates continues to provide our patients with the latest advancements in bunion surgery and bunion treatment. We look forward to the opportunity to create a customized foot care plan to meet your individualized needs. Dr Livingston stresses the importance of selecting the correct procedures that will have the most benefit for each patient.

What Is A Bunion?
Bunions are often described as a large protrusion to the side of the big toe, but this is incorrectly over simplified. The visual bump we all see is an extension of the underlying problem, which actually involves a complicated ligamentous and tendonous imbalance along with some inherent bony pathology. This is why the big toe points toward the second toe rather than straight forward. Bunions are progressive, which means the longer you leave a bunion without treatment the worse it will get with time. Usually the symptoms of the bunion will appear in late stages.

What Causes a Bunion?
Most often a bunion can be caused by an inherited trait leading to abnormal mechanics of the foot and ankle. This leads to a structural problem in the entire foot. The foot type is the trait passed on from your ancestors, rather than the actual bunion deformity. Shoe types can cause the bunion to worsen, but will not actually cause the bunion.

Bunion Symptoms
Symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes. Long bouts of ambulation or standing can aggravate the bunion. This can cause pain, soreness, inflammation, redness, burning and even numbness.

Bunion Treatment
Treatment for bunion deformities should initially consist of shoe changes along with orthotics therapy for biomechanical control. X-rays should be taken during the initial evaluation for future review when the Bunion deformity is thought to be progressing. Also injection therapy, icing and oral anti-inflammatory can be utilized to reduce swelling or pain. If these treatments don’t resolve the pain or the continued progression of the condition is noted then bunion surgery is most likely necessary. Some bunion deformities can be very progressed on initial evaluation and may require surgical correction immediately to prevent further joint damage. A variety of procedures can be performed for the numerous stages and diagnostic criteria for a bunion. We will consider all these criteria including x-ray findings, age, and activity level in selecting the correct procedure for each individual patient. The radiographs will demonstrate some bunion deformities that have been repaired through surgical intervention.

Bunion Surgery
Many foot problems do not respond to conservative treatments. Your podiatric physician can determine when surgical intervention may be helpful. Often when pain or deformity persists, surgery may be appropriate to alleviate discomfort or to restore the function of your foot. Foot and ankle surgery is a highly specialized and complicated surgical discipline. It is imperative when selecting a surgeon to evaluate their credentials and qualifications. Dr Michael Livingston is a podiatric surgeon who specializes in the foot, ankle and lower leg conditions.

Note: The following educational references are presented as a public service and for informational purposes only. The material is derived from the current medical knowledge on the topics listed. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Bunion Treatment Bellmore NY

2307 Bellmore Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710
Call for an appointment: 516 308-4500




Related: , ,