For more than four decades, Dr. Josef Geldwert has performed thousands of bunion correction surgeries on patients in New York. As a leading Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon, Dr. Geldwert is an expert at evaluating each patient to determine the best course of action based on the severity of their bunion, including selecting the best surgical correction procedure.
If you live in Westchester County and have been seeking relief from painful bunion symptoms, schedule a consultation to learn what we can do for you.
Bunion Surgery Options
| Procedure | Bone Cutting, Shaving, Breaking, Drilling, or Fusion | Estimated Recovery Time | Best For |
| HyperFlex™ | None | 2 weeks for soft tissue healing. Patients can wear sneakers immediately after surgery, return to normal physical activity within 2-3 months, and wear high heels after 3 months. | Those with mild to severe bunions who want a minimally invasive procedure and minimal downtime. |
| Mini TightRope | Bone drilling, which carries a risk of future fractures | 2-3 weeks to heal. Patients can wear sneakers after 3 months and return to normal activities within 6 months. | Those with mild to severe bunions who want to avoid bone cutting/fusion and have a few weeks free to recover. |
| Exostectomy | Bone shaving | 3-4 weeks to heal, though full recovery time varies depending on the procedure. | This procedure only minimizes the appearance of the bunion, so it’s best combined with another corrective surgery. |
| Osteotomy | Bone cutting | 6-12 weeks to heal and 3-4 months to return to most normal activities. | Those with moderate to severe bunions who can take the time necessary to fully recover. |
| Resection arthroplasty | Bone cutting, which reduces the length of the big toe and can cause issues with walking/balance | 6-12 weeks to heal and 3-6 months to return to most normal activities. | Those with moderate to severe bunions who have time to recover and are willing to adjust the way they walk. |
| Arthrodesis | Bone fusion | 6-12 weeks to heal and up to 6 months to return to most normal activities. | Those who have severe bunions and who have had prior, unsuccessful corrective surgeries. |
Is Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Right for You?
Dr. Geldwert meets personally with patients in Westchester, NY, to discuss minimally invasive bunion surgery options. To find out if you might be a good candidate, take a look at the checklist below:
- The joint of your big toe appears enlarged, or the tip of the toe points inward
- The joint of your big toe is red, swollen, or inflamed for extended periods
- It’s painful to walk or stand for long periods
- Rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medication do not improve your symptoms
- You no longer do certain activities due to foot, knee, or back pain
- You have other deformities of the foot, such as corns, thick calluses (especially on the ball of the foot), hammertoes, neuromas, or metatarsalgia
You may have one or all of these symptoms. Even if your symptoms are relatively mild, you could be a candidate for minimally invasive bunion surgery. Our HyperFlex™ procedure is one of the only surgical options for those who suffer from mild bunions. You don’t have to wait for your symptoms to worsen before seeking treatment.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
Having minimally invasive bunion surgery in our Westchester, NY, office is a simple process.
- Evaluation: Dr. Geldwert assesses the severity of the bunions and determines if the patient is a good candidate for surgery. This includes X-rays of the patient’s foot.
- Surgery: Depending on the procedure, the surgeon either performs the surgery in-office (for HyperFlex™) or in a designated procedure room.
- Post-Surgery: The patient may stay in a recovery room for a few hours (depending on the procedure). Dr. Geldwert will later send the patient home with a full post-operative treatment plan.
The Recovery Process
After any minimally invasive bunion surgery, patients should rest for the remainder of the day. The exact recovery timeline varies by surgery. Dr. Geldwert will schedule a follow-up appointment (generally 10-14 days after surgery) to assess patients’ healing progress. Patients also receive a custom recovery plan that includes which activities they can resume, and when, along with recommendations for appropriate footwear at each stage.
Take the First Step With Us
To learn more about minimally invasive bunion surgery in Westchester, NY, send our Rye Brook office a message or call us at 914-875-1632. If you’re ready to book an appointment with Dr. Geldwert, send us a request, and we will schedule a consultation.
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