A bunion, or hallux valgus (pronounced ha·luhks vaal·guhs), is a bony bump caused by a deformity at the first metatarsocuneiform joint (MCJ) in the mid-foot. This bump typically forms when the big toe shifts inward toward the second toe, while the forefoot moves out of alignment due to joint instability. This misalignment creates a bony bump or a bulging bump on the inside of the foot that can make wearing shoes painful. Over time, bunions develop into more complex joint deformities that may cause ongoing pain, difficulty walking, and even extreme pain with certain footwear.
At New Orleans Podiatry, we provide both nonsurgical treatments and advanced surgical procedures for bunion correction, including Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction and Nanoplasty™ minimally invasive surgery. Restoring the big toe joint to its normal position offers long-term pain relief and stability, helping you participate in the activities you love. Dr. Edward Lang uses advanced diagnostics to design a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Misalignment of the big toe joint, causing a bony bump (hallux valgus deformity)
Pain, swelling, redness, difficulty walking, and trouble wearing shoes
Lapiplasty®, or Nanoplasty™, minimally invasive bunion surgery, orthotic devices, and shoe gear changes
Improved foot alignment, reduced pain, and long-term correction for most surgical patients
A bunion forms when the metatarsal bone in the foot shifts and the big toe joint angles toward the second toe. This pushes the joint outward, creating the visible bump often associated with bunion symptoms.
Symptoms of Bunions
When the toes rub against the inside of shoes, especially in pointy toes or shoes with a narrow toe box, the irritation can make symptoms of a bunion worse. Over time, a mild bony enlargement can progress into severe bunions that cause ongoing pain and trouble walking.
Common Contributors to Bunions
Your initial visit will include a physical exam to assess your bunion deformity, a review of your bunion symptoms, and diagnostic imaging to diagnose bunions precisely. Dr. Lang will explain your options for both nonsurgical treatments and surgical procedures, so you can make an informed choice about how to treat bunions and reduce pain.
When conservative care cannot relieve pressure or restore function, bunion surgery may be the best way to treat bunions. Dr. Edward Lang is a Lapiplasty® Centurion Center surgeon, recognized for completing over 100 Lapiplasty® procedures with advanced training.
Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction is an advanced procedure that addresses the root cause of the bunion by correcting the misalignment in three dimensions. This technique not only removes the prominent bump (medial eminence) but also restores proper toe alignment and stabilizes the joint at its foundation.
This minimally invasive bunion surgery uses tiny incisions to reposition the big toe joint and improve alignment. It can help reduce pain, minimize soft tissue trauma, and speed recovery.
During Nanoplasty™ Dr. Lang creates tiny, strategically placed incisions—typically just a few millimeters long—on the side of the foot. He then uses specialized instruments and high-definition imaging to precisely reshape and realign the first metatarsal and surrounding structures. This approach preserves healthy tissue, reduces trauma to the soft tissue and bone, and allows for more controlled correction of the bunion deformity.
Not all bunions require surgery. Many patients benefit from nonsurgical treatments designed to reduce pain and slow progression.
These include:
Mild bunion: A small bony bump that causes occasional discomfort
Moderate bunion: More noticeable bunion symptoms, discomfort when active, difficulty finding comfortable shoes
Severe bunion: Large bony enlargement, extreme pain, and difficulty wearing shoes or walking
Tailor’s bunion (bunionette): A bony bump at the base of the little toe instead of the big toe, often caused by pointed shoes or footwear with a narrow toe box
Dr. Edward Lang is a nationally recognized expert in 3D bunion correction. As a Lapiplasty® Centurion surgeon, he has demonstrated exceptional proficiency and surgical volume in performing this advanced, joint-stabilizing procedure. This recognition is awarded to surgeons who have completed over 100 Lapiplasty® procedures and demonstrated exceptional skill in restoring the big toe joint to its normal position.
Patients who choose Lapiplasty® with Dr. Lang benefit from:
You may be a candidate for treatment if you have bunion pain, a visible bump at the base of the big toe, or trouble wearing shoes comfortably. Candidates often experience swelling, redness, or changes in the way the big toe joint moves.
Bunion surgery is usually recommended when nonsurgical treatments, such as orthotic devices, bunion pads, or shoe gear changes, no longer provide relief. You may not be a candidate for surgery if you have uncontrolled health conditions that increase surgical risks, or if your symptoms are mild and do not interfere with daily activities.
Expect realistic results: surgical treatment can restore alignment, reduce discomfort, and allow you to wear shoes more comfortably, but it cannot change your inherited foot type or completely prevent future foot problems if risk factors remain. Dr. Lang will work with you to develop a treatment tailored to provide the best possible results.
Recovery depends on the chosen bunion treatment. Many patients who undergo Lapiplasty® or Nanoplasty™ can wear shoes within 6 to 8 weeks. Conservative treatments may allow you to remain active without downtime, though they will not permanently correct the bunion deformity. Dr. Lang and his team will provide thorough aftercare instructions and support you throughout your entire recovery.
With surgery, patients often experience a return of the big toe joint to its normal position, resolution of the painful bony bump, and the ability to wear a wider range of comfortable shoes without extreme pain.
The results of bunion surgery can significantly improve your comfort, mobility, and ability to participate in a range of activities.
New Orleans Podiatry is recognized as a Lapiplasty® Centurion Center for advanced bunion correction, offering multiple surgical and nonsurgical options for treating bunions. We possess expertise in both hallux valgus deformity and tailor’s bunion. Patients benefit from concierge access for follow-up questions, prescriptions, and post-op care. Our practice has over 30 years of experience with bunion surgery, orthotic devices, and personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Learn More About Lapiplasty 3D Correction
Yes. Shoes with a narrow toe box, pointy toes, or high heels can increase pressure on the big toe joint, which may cause or worsen bunions over time.
A physical exam and, if needed, X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can diagnose bunions. The hallmark signs are a visible bump at the joint at the base of the big toe, pain, and the big toe angling toward the second toe.
While you cannot change your inherited foot type, you can prevent bunions from worsening by wearing comfortable shoes with a wide toe box, using orthotic devices, and avoiding shoes that pinch the toes.
Yes. Many people are born with an inherited foot type that predisposes them to bunions or congenital hallux valgus.
Bunion pads and toe spacers can help relieve pressure and make wearing shoes more comfortable, but they will not correct the underlying hallux valgus deformity.
Modern bunion surgery is performed with anesthesia and minimally invasive techniques, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Discomfort during recovery varies, but our team focuses on reducing pain and guiding you back to normal activity as quickly as possible. Many patients find the recovery no more painful than the chronic discomfort caused by their bunion.
References
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) – FootHealthFacts.org
Mayo Clinic: Bunions – Symptoms and Causes
Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction – Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. https://www.lapiplasty.com
Coughlin MJ, Saltzman CL, Anderson RB. Mann’s Surgery of the Foot and Ankle, 9th ed. Elsevier; 2014.
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