Bunion Surgery Before & After — Real Results from Our Michigan Office
Bunions don’t go away on their own — they only progress. But many patients spend years dreading bunion surgery based on stories from the past. Modern minimally invasive techniques have transformed what surgery looks like, feels like, and how quickly you recover.
What Our Minimally Invasive Approach Looks Like
Traditional bunion surgery involved large incisions, extended hospital stays, and months of recovery. Our minimally invasive technique uses small percutaneous incisions — often less than 5mm — to realign the bone with precision instruments.
- Smaller incisions = less scarring, less swelling, less pain
- In-office procedure — no hospital stay
- In-office X-ray confirms perfect alignment before you leave
- Walking in a surgical boot within days
- Return to regular shoes in 6–10 weeks depending on severity
The Timeline: What to Expect
| Timepoint | What You’ll See | Activity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Small dressings, mild swelling, bone realigned | Walking in surgical boot |
| Week 2 | Swelling reduces, incisions healing | Limited walking, boot required |
| Month 1 | Significant swelling reduction, bone healing | Transition to wide shoe |
| Month 3 | Bunion clearly corrected, shape normalized | Regular shoes, low-impact activity |
| Month 6 | Final result — straight toe, no pain, full function | Full unrestricted activity |
Recovery Products We Recommend
• Surgical walking boot (provided in-office)
• Ice therapy compression wrap ($30–$50)
• Toe separators for long-term maintenance ($8–$15)
• Wide recovery sandals for transition ($40–$80)
• Powerstep orthotics for regular shoes after healing ($30)
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Not every bunion requires surgery. We first try conservative management: custom orthotics to redistribute pressure, proper shoe selection, toe spacers, and anti-inflammatory treatments. Surgery becomes appropriate when pain is consistent, the deformity is progressing, and conservative care has been exhausted.
“Most of my patients who come in dreading surgery are relieved when I tell them we have non-surgical options. And those who do need surgery are relieved when they see how different the recovery is compared to what they expected.” — Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
✅ MLS Dual-Wavelength Laser — FDA-cleared
✅ EPAT Shockwave Therapy — 80%+ success rate
✅ Magnetotransduction (EMTT) — Deep electromagnetic healing
✅ 3D-Scanned Custom Orthotics
✅ Toenail Fungus Laser
✅ In-Office X-Ray & Ultrasound
✅ Diabetic Shoe Program — Medicare-covered
📞 (810) 206-1402 | Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Ready to See YOUR Transformation?
Schedule your evaluation today — same-day appointments available.
📞 (810) 206-1402
Howell: 4330 E Grand River Ave | Bloomfield Hills: 43494 Woodward Ave #208
Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services
At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.
We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.
Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills location.
Scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle is straightforward — call (810) 206-1402 during business hours and our front desk team will find an appointment time that works for your schedule, verify your insurance coverage before the visit, and answer any preliminary questions you have about what to expect. Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River has convenient parking and is easily accessible from I-96, M-59, and Grand River Avenue. Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is located on Woodward Avenue with parking adjacent to the building. Both locations are accessible by patients throughout Southeast Michigan, and our team looks forward to providing you with the professional, evidence-based podiatric care that you and your feet deserve.
Related Treatment Guides
- Bunion Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
- Custom 3D Orthotics
- Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
Michigan patients can access expert bunion treatment in Michigan at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our board-certified podiatrists serve Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Schedule an appointment online or call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.
Medical References & Sources
- American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Bunions
- American Podiatric Medical Association — Bunions
- PubMed Research — Hallux Valgus Treatment
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for Bunions
📍 Located in Michigan?
Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
These are products I personally use and recommend to my patients at Balance Foot & Ankle.
- Correct Toes Toe Spacers — Silicone spacers realign toes to natural position — reduces bunion pain and slows deformity progression
- NatraCure Gel Toe Separator and Bunion Guard — Gel cushion with integrated spacer — immediate pain relief for bunion friction against shoe box
- New Balance 928v3 Walking Shoe — Wide toe box with ROLLBAR stability — gives the bunion room while controlling overpronation that worsens deviation
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we trust for our own patients.
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Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Same-week appointments available at both locations.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.
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