Bunion Specialist

What are bunions? 

A bunion refers to an enlargement in the inner part of the joint at the base of your big toe. In most cases, a bunion is caused by a misalignment of the big toe joint or in the bone’s formation. 

Not uncommon, misalignments lead your big toe to point outward, reaching toward the other, smaller toes of the foot. While a misalignment may not immediately exhibit symptoms, you may eventually start to feel pain and tenderness and notice redness. 

While bunions usually appear in the big toe, it is also possible for bunions to develop in the pinky toe. Also called a tailor’s bunion, bunions in the pinky toe will cause the toe to point inward, causing the opposite effect of big toe bunions.

What causes bunions? 

There are not pin-pointed causes for bunions, though a series of factors can contribute to their development. Your podiatrist at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist can advise as to whether your bunion stems from any of the following causes: 

• Trauma from a fracture or sprain
• Gout
• Neuromuscular disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Improper footwear
• Overpronation
• Genetics

Bunions can develop because of a mix of the above factors. Your podiatrist at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist will help you identify where your bunion comes from and develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment.

What are the symptoms of bunions? 

At first, you may not experience any symptoms, save for some slight pain when you walk. However, over time, symptoms of a bunion can be more severe and lead to any of the following: 

• Swelling
• Redness
• Soreness
• Blisters and calluses
• Mobility issues with the big toe
• Protrusions on the outside of the big toe

These symptoms resemble those of gout, so it’s important to seek out podiatric care sooner rather than later to address any underlying issues and resolve the problem for good. 

How do you treat bunions?

Your podiatrist at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist advises which treatment is best suited for you. 

Your provider might recommend any of the following treatments: 

• Custom orthotics
• Toe separators
• Splints
• Bunion pads for closed shoes
• Cold-pack applications
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy exercise

If your bunion is severe, your provider may recommend surgery. We specialize in Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery (MIS) and 3D Bunion Correction (Lapiplasty®). These procedures involve precise realignment of the bone to restore the toe’s rightful position, rather than just shaving the bump, which significantly reduces the chance of the bunion returning.

If you have noticed what looks like the beginning of a bunion formation, call or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bunions

Do bunions always require surgery? Not necessarily. Many patients in Homer Glen find relief through conservative treatments like custom orthotics, wider footwear, and toe spacers. However, because a bunion is a structural bone deformity, surgery is the only way to physically straighten the toe joint if pain becomes chronic.

What makes your bunion surgery 'minimally invasive'? Dr. Vittori and Dr. Thakrar utilize advanced techniques that allow for bunion correction through tiny, precisely placed incisions. This results in significantly less swelling, minimal scarring, and a much faster return to your normal shoes compared to traditional "open" bunionectomy procedures.

Will my bunion come back after surgery? When performed by an experienced surgeon who addresses the underlying biomechanics of your foot, the recurrence rate is very low. We often pair our surgical outcomes with 4D Digital Orthotics to ensure your foot remains properly aligned, protecting your results for the long term.

How soon can I walk after bunion correction in New Lenox? With our minimally invasive approach, many patients are "weight-bearing" in a surgical shoe almost immediately or within just a few days. Our goal for our Orland Park and New Lenox patients is to get you back to your active lifestyle with as little downtime as possible.

Why Choose Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery?

• Smaller Incisions: Less trauma to the surrounding tissue.

• Faster Healing: Walk sooner post-op compared to traditional procedures.

• On-site Diagnostics: We use digital X-rays to create a precise surgical plan.

What is the recovery time for 3D Bunion Correction?

Most patients undergoing 3D Lapiplasty® or minimally invasive correction are back in a walking boot within days. A full return to athletic shoes typically occurs within 6 to 8 weeks, which is significantly faster than traditional methods.

Is bunion surgery painful?

By using minimally invasive techniques, we use smaller incisions that result in less tissue trauma. Our patients in New Lenox and Homer Glen generally report less postoperative pain and require less recovery medication than those undergoing standard open bunionectomies.

Why choose Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist for bunion surgery in Homer Glen?

As a top-cited specialists in the Southwest Suburbs, Dr. Vittori and Dr. Thakrar combine advanced surgical technology with 4D Digital Orthotics to ensure long-term success and prevent the biomechanical issues that cause bunions to reform.

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, Dr. Christopher Vittori and Dr. Ameet Thakrar specialize in Minimally Invasive Bunion Correction and 3D Lapiplasty® for patients in Homer Glen and New Lenox. Our surgical team utilizes advanced realignment techniques that involve smaller incisions, resulting in significantly less downtime and faster healing compared to traditional open surgery. By combining the expertise of both Dr. Vittori and Dr. Thakrar, we provide a precision-based approach to bunion relief for the entire Southwest Suburbs community.