Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Bunion surgery near Troy has a recurrence rate that varies from under 5% to over 30% depending on the procedure chosen — and the X-ray angle measurement (intermetatarsal angle) is the primary factor that determines which surgery is appropriate. Choosing based on cosmetics alone leads to the wrong operation. Call (810) 206-1402 — bunion evaluation in Troy.
Bunion Treatment close to Troy
Troy residents with a growing bunion or increasing big toe pain have a close specialist option at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills — just 10 minutes south on Woodward Ave. A bunion (hallux valgus) is a structural deformity: the first metatarsal drifts outward, pushing the big toe inward. It’s a mechanical problem, it’s hereditary in most cases, and it progressively worsens without intervention. The question isn’t whether to treat it — it’s when and how.
- REDUCES SHOE FRICTION and PRESSURE
- IMMEDIATE, ALL-DAY PAIN RELIEF
- STAYS ON ALL DAY & NIGHT
- FITS EASILY in shoes
- Water & sweat resistant
In our Bloomfield Hills clinic, we match treatment to the severity of your bunion. Early-to-moderate bunions benefit from custom orthotics (correcting the biomechanics driving metatarsal drift), wide toe box footwear, and bunion pads. When deformity is significant or pain is constant, bunion surgery is the appropriate next step — and we offer minimally invasive procedures for appropriate candidates. We take in-office weight-bearing X-rays to grade severity and guide the decision. See our bunion surgery options.
Key takeaway: Troy patients should know: the earlier we evaluate a bunion, the more conservative the treatment options available. Waiting until the deformity is severe means more complex surgery with longer recovery. An early consultation doesn’t commit you to surgery — it gives you the information to make the right choice.
What to expect at your appointment
At your first visit, we take weight-bearing X-rays in-office, measure the hallux valgus and inter-metatarsal angles, assess joint flexibility and cartilage, evaluate for associated hammertoe of the second toe, and determine your functional limitation. This guides whether conservative care, surgical planning, or continued monitoring is appropriate.
If surgery is discussed, we walk through the procedure options (minimally invasive Lapiplasty for moderate deformities, traditional osteotomies for more severe cases, Lapidus fusion for hypermobile first rays), recovery expectations (6–8 weeks non-weight-bearing, 3–4 months to full activity), and timing. Troy patients: same-day appointments available. Call (810) 206-1402.
⚠️ When to see a podiatrist promptly:
- Sudden severe pain and warmth at the bunion — rule out gout or septic joint
- Open sore over the bunion prominence
- Big toe crossing over or under second toe (severe deformity)
- Complete loss of big toe joint range of motion
Why Balance Foot & Ankle for Troy patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM has performed hundreds of bunion surgeries including minimally invasive procedures, traditional osteotomies, and Lapidus fusions. Troy patients are 10 minutes from our Bloomfield Hills office — the closest specialist bunion care destination in Oakland County.
We accept most major insurance. Bunion surgery is typically covered after documented conservative care failure — we track that documentation from your first visit. 4.9★ | 1,100+ reviews.
Insurance & scheduling for Troy patients
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, and Medicare. From Troy: Woodward Ave south approximately 10 minutes to 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302.
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
Doctor Answer
How does a podiatrist treat a bunion without surgery?
Conservative bunion treatment includes wider footwear, bunion pads, custom orthotics to redistribute pressure, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and slow progression. While these measures cannot reverse the deformity, they effectively manage symptoms for many patients. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle provides non-surgical bunion treatment in Troy, MI, helping patients stay active and comfortable.
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.