Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Bunion surgery near Farmington Hills has a recurrence rate ranging from under 5% to over 30% depending on procedure selection — and the intermetatarsal angle on X-ray is the primary factor determining which surgery fits your anatomy. Choosing based on recovery time alone leads to the wrong operation. Call (810) 206-1402 — bunion evaluation in Farmington Hills.
Bunion Treatment Close to Farmington Hills
Bunions progress over years to decades — slowly enough that many patients delay seeking care until they can no longer fit into their shoes comfortably. If you’re in Farmington Hills and finding that your big toe is drifting inward or your first MTP joint is increasingly prominent and painful, now is the right time to see a podiatrist. Early intervention makes conservative management more effective and gives you more surgical options if you eventually need surgery.
- REDUCES SHOE FRICTION and PRESSURE
- IMMEDIATE, ALL-DAY PAIN RELIEF
- STAYS ON ALL DAY & NIGHT
- FITS EASILY in shoes
- Water & sweat resistant
In our clinic, we X-ray every new bunion patient to measure the hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle — the two measurements that determine severity and guide treatment decisions. These numbers tell us whether your bunion can be managed conservatively long-term, or whether you’re approaching the threshold where surgery becomes the most sensible option.
Conservative vs. Surgical Options
Conservative care focuses on pain relief and slowing progression. This includes wide toe box shoes, custom orthotics to correct the overpronation that accelerates bunion development, and bunion pads or spacers for joint protection. For most patients, this manages symptoms adequately for years.
When conservative care stops working — meaning you’re in constant pain, can’t tolerate normal footwear, or the deformity is affecting adjacent toes — bunion surgery corrects the underlying bony malalignment. Modern techniques have dramatically improved outcomes; many patients are walking in a surgical boot within days.
Key takeaway: The right time for bunion surgery is when conservative care has clearly failed AND your life is being meaningfully affected. Not too early (while conservative care still works) and not too late (when bone quality has declined or adjacent toe deformities have developed).
Why Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki has performed hundreds of bunion corrections and believes strongly in the conservative-first principle. He won’t recommend surgery until it’s truly the right choice for you. Our Bloomfield Township office is conveniently located for Farmington Hills patients at 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208. We’re 15 minutes away via Orchard Lake Rd south to Woodward Ave.
⚠️ Seek evaluation if your bunion:
- Has developed an open sore or skin breakdown over the joint
- Is causing your second toe to lift or cross over the big toe
- Experiences sudden severe pain and warmth (may be a gout flare)
- Is worsening rapidly despite footwear changes
Insurance & Scheduling
We accept most major insurance. Same-day appointments available. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
For a complete clinical overview: Bunion Treatment Michigan Guide — non-surgical and surgical bunion options explained
How quickly can I get a podiatry appointment in Southeast Michigan?
Same-week appointments available at our Howell, Milford, Fenton, Hartland, and surrounding locations.
What does Balance Foot & Ankle specialize in?
Comprehensive foot and ankle care — plantar fasciitis, bunions, toenail conditions, ankle surgery, diabetic foot care, and custom orthotics.
📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
In Farmington Hills, our podiatry office provides the full spectrum of bunion treatments from conservative to surgical. Conservative options include custom orthotics to redistribute pressure, wider toe box shoe recommendations, bunion splints for nighttime realignment, and anti-inflammatory treatments including cortisone injections and MLS laser therapy. For bunions causing severe pain or significant deformity, we offer minimally invasive bunion surgery with small incisions and faster recovery than traditional open surgery. Most patients return to normal shoes within 6 to 8 weeks post-op.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.
More questions patients ask
Where can I get Bunion treatment near Farmington Hills, MI?
Balance Foot & Ankle serves Farmington Hills, MI patients at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM provides same-day Bunion treatment. Call (810) 206-1402.
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Farmington Hills, MI?
Most Farmington Hills patients reach our Howell office (4330 E Grand River Ave) in 10–25 minutes. Bloomfield Township: 43494 Woodward Ave #208. Call (810) 206-1402 to book.
Does insurance cover Bunion treatment in Michigan?
Most PPO plans cover Bunion when medically indicated. We accept BCBS, Medicare Part B, and most Michigan insurers. Call (810) 206-1402 to verify coverage before your visit.
Who treats Bunion at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM (double-fellowship trained) leads Bunion care. Also: Dr. Carl Jay DPM and Dr. Daria Gutkin DPM AACFAS. Same-day appointments in Howell & Bloomfield Township. (810) 206-1402.
Will a bunion get worse without treatment?
Bunions are structural deformities that typically worsen gradually over years. Footwear changes and orthotics can slow progression and reduce pain but do not reverse the deformity. Surgery is the only way to realign the joint. The rate of progression varies significantly by genetics, footwear habits, and foot mechanics.
What is recovery like after bunion surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure. A simple bunionectomy takes 4u20136 weeks. An osteotomy (bone cut and realignment) typically requires 6u20138 weeks in a walking boot with full return to regular shoes at 3u20134 months. The Lapidus procedure (fusion at the 1st metatarsal base) takes 3u20134 months before full weight-bearing. Modern fixation techniques have significantly shortened recovery times.
Can bunions recur after surgery?
Recurrence rates vary by surgical technique. Procedures addressing the underlying cause (hypermobile first ray) have recurrence under 5% u2014 the Lapidus bunionectomy achieves this. Procedures that only address the bump without correcting joint alignment have higher recurrence, especially in patients with flexible flat feet. X-ray measurements determine the optimal procedure for each patient.
Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.