If you’re suffering from bunions, you may be wondering who is the best doctor for bunion surgery in Westchester, NY? The county is home to many exceptional surgeons, but you can only choose one. How should you decide? This guide will help you find the most skilled surgeon for your needs, with detailed information on what qualities to look for and what qualities to avoid.
Podiatrists vs. Orthopedic Surgeons: Who is the Best Doctor for Bunion Surgery?
There are two types of doctors who perform bunion surgeries: podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons. While they both treat bunions, they’re trained differently and sometimes offer different types of bunion surgery. This is why it’s important to decide between a podiatrist vs. an orthopedic surgeon first, before looking at lists of who the best doctors for bunion surgery are in Westchester.
An orthopedic surgeon treats the entire musculoskeletal system, not just the feet. They may also perform shoulder or spine surgery, for instance. Meanwhile, a podiatrist specializes in foot and ankle conditions like bunions. To decide which surgeon is best for you, take a look at the chart below, which explains the major differences in more detail.
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Podiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Patients with severe bunions that are causing significant pain or complications | Patients with any level of bunion and who want more treatment options |
| Experience | Studies 4 years in medical school, followed by a 5 year residency for general orthopedic surgery, then an optional 1 year fellowship for foot and ankle conditions | Studies podiatry for 4 years, followed by a 3-4 year residency for foot and ankle surgery |
| Accreditation | Accredited as a medical doctor (MD or DO) | Accredited as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) |
| Focus | Treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions | Focuses on foot and ankle conditions |
| Services | Offers a limited range of bunion surgeries and few minimally invasive options | Offers a wide range of bunion surgeries and treatments, including minimally invasive surgeries or non-surgical options |
| Speciality | May be less experienced with bunion surgery | Often has extensive experience with bunion surgery |
| What they treat | Usually treats severe bunions | Treats all types of bunions from mild to severe |
With this in mind, who is the best doctor for bunion surgery? We recommend a podiatrist. While orthopedic surgeons are excellent doctors, many lack experience treating bunions specifically. They only receive a year of optional training in foot surgery, whereas a podiatrist spends nearly a decade learning how to treat foot conditions.
Now that you know which doctor is best equipped to treat bunions (a board-certified podiatric surgeon), you’ll need to know which qualities set the best podiatrists apart.
How to Choose a Podiatric Surgeon
Below are a few qualities you should look for when choosing the best doctor for bunion surgery in Westchester.
✅Board certification
✅At least 10 years of experience treating bunions
✅A high number of successful bunion surgeries
✅High patient satisfaction rates (look at online reviews and patient testimonials)
✅Treats athletes and patients with active lifestyles
✅Multiple bunion surgery options available, including minimally invasive surgeries
✅Can treat all levels of bunion, from mild to severe
✅Recommends different types of surgery based on bunion severity (no one-size-fits-all treatment)
✅Familiar with the latest innovative bunion surgeries and research
✅Uses the best diagnostic tools, including musculoskeletal ultrasound and
digital radiography
✅Serves on advisory committees for medical innovations
✅Holds or has held academic roles training student podiatrists
Not all podiatrists have these qualities. Here are a few red flags to avoid when choosing a podiatrist.
🚫Less than five years of experience
🚫Fewer than 100 bunion surgeries performed
🚫Mixed reviews from patients
🚫Little to no experience treating athletes
🚫Only offers invasive bunion surgery
🚫Recommends the same surgery to nearly all patients
🚫Not up to date with the latest bunion research
🚫Only uses X-ray diagnostics
Who Are the Top Bunion Surgeons in Westchester?
Finding a good bunion surgeon in Westchester is easy, as many doctors have all of the qualities in the green list above. Some of the best podiatrists in the area are:
To narrow this list down, it’s helpful to look at which surgeries each doctor offers. All of the doctors above perform surgeries like osteotomy and arthrodesis, but only one podiatrist offers HyperFlex™, the most innovative and minimally invasive bunion surgery available.
Knowing this, it’s clear who the best doctor for bunion surgery is in Westchester, NY: Dr. Josef Geldwert.
Why Dr. Josef Geldwert is the Best Doctor for Bunion Surgery in Westchester, NY
Dr. Geldwert sets himself apart from other top surgeons in Westchester due to his extensive experience and minimally invasive bunion surgery services. He’s worked as a DPM for more than 40 years and has performed thousands of bunion correction surgeries. His patients have a high surgery success rate, especially with the HyperFlex™ treatment, which is Dr. Geldwert’s own invention. He saw a need for a better bunion correction surgery, one that leads to faster recovery times and fewer complications. Dr. Geldwert’s expertise, coupled with his passion for bunion research, makes him not only the best doctor for bunion surgery in Westchester, but also one of the world’s leading podiatrists.
If you’re wondering who is the best doctor for bunion surgery in Westchester, NY, look no further. Send Dr. Geldwert a message today to schedule a consultation, or call us directly at 914-875-1632.