Skip to main content

Bunion Specialist

Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM

Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Salt Lake City, UT

Although anyone can get a bunion, these bony, often painful growths are more common in women. The board-certified team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, a branch of Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists, in Salt Lake City, Utah, provides nonsurgical corrective measures along with new surgical technology to repair your damaged bone and tissues. Call today to set up a consultation or book one online.

Bunion Q & A

What causes bunions?

A bunion is a musculoskeletal deformity near the base of your big toe that can be quite painful. Doctors aren’t completely sure why some people get bunions while others don’t.

Various factors seem to cause bunions. The condition appears to run in families. If you’ve worn tight-fitting high heels for years, you may be more likely to develop a bunion.

If you have a bunion, you can rely on the team of board-certified podiatrists at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, for expert treatment that begins with conservative measures to address all types of bunions.

What are the nonsurgical treatments for bunions?

The team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, initially recommends conservative modalities, such as:

  • Orthotics
  • Stretches
  • Taping
  • Ice and rest
  • Anti-inflammatory medication

They may suggest trying new shoes or modifying your existing ones to see if that relieves your discomfort. If these methods haven’t helped, and you’re experiencing chronic pain that’s affecting your lifestyle, the team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, discusses surgical options that are appropriate for you. 

Generally, they don’t advise surgery for purely cosmetic reasons unless the bunion is causing significant emotional discomfort. 

What are the surgeries to treat bunions?

The surgery to correct the deformity is straightforward in most cases. Depending on the parts of your foot that are affected, the surgery may correct issues involving your:

  • Tendon
  • Joint capsule
  • Soft tissue
  • Bone

The extent of your surgery depends on the severity of the deformity and the relative flexibility of your foot.

In most cases, your surgeon treats the bunion by making a simple cut in the bone behind your big toe and correcting both the bone and soft tissue deformities. This is known as an Austin procedure. After this surgery, you should be able to stand almost immediately on the foot that had surgery.

What happens after bunion surgery?

Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, and their team prescribes pain medicine after your surgery to relieve any discomfort. Pain and swelling may last for 1-2 months or longer after surgery. However, a number of patients have reported experiencing little to no pain during their recovery. 

To speed your recovery, the team at Dan Preece, DPM & Darren Groberg, DPM, recommends physical therapy, along with stretches and exercises you can perform at home. 

Most patients with painful bunions prior to surgery are very satisfied with the results of their operation. Call today to find out more, or book online.