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Fabienne Rottenberg, DPMUpper West Side PodiatryBook on Zocdoc

Bunion treatment · Upper West Side

Bunion treatment and bunion surgery on the Upper West Side.

If a bunion makes your shoes hurt or stops you walking the way you want to, see a board-certified foot surgeon who will try the simple fixes first. Dr. Rottenberg treats bunions with padding, shoe changes, custom orthotics and injections. When surgery is the right answer, she offers both traditional and minimally invasive bunion surgery.

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Board-certified foot surgeon · FACFAS · Mount Sinai faculty · English, French, Hebrew & Spanish

Foot and ankle examination
Board-certified foot surgeonConservative care first

Information from the practice of Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at Mount Sinai. Updated . This page is general information, not a diagnosis.

Book a visit if…

  • The bump at your big toe hurts in most shoes
  • Your big toe is drifting toward the second toe
  • Pain limits walking, work or exercise
  • You want to know if surgery is needed, and which kind

Call the office first if…

  • The joint is suddenly red, hot and swollen
  • You have diabetes and a sore or blister over the bunion
  • You had bunion surgery elsewhere and have new pain
  • You need an appointment soon for travel or work

What a bunion is

A bunion is a joint that has moved, not just a bump.

A bunion forms when the big toe joint slowly shifts out of line. The bone at the base of the big toe pushes outward and the toe angles in toward the others. The bump you see is the joint itself.

Bunions often run in families because they follow foot shape. Narrow, pointed or high-heeled shoes do not usually cause them, but they make them hurt more and can speed them up.

Your first visit

What happens when you come in.

Dr. Rottenberg looks at how your foot moves, where it hurts, and the shoes you wear most. Standing X-rays show how far the joint has shifted and whether there is arthritis in the joint. That is what decides which treatments make sense for you.

  • Bring the shoes that hurt most
  • Bring any X-rays you already have
  • Tell us what you most want to get back to

Minimally invasive bunion surgery

Smaller incisions, when your bunion is suited to it.

In minimally invasive bunion surgery, the bone is realigned through a few very small openings instead of one long incision. It is usually done as outpatient surgery, so you go home the same day.

It is not the right choice for every bunion. The size of the bunion, how the joint lines up and whether there is arthritis all matter. Dr. Rottenberg will tell you which approach fits your foot and why.

Recovery

What recovery looks like.

Most people walk in a protective shoe or boot after surgery and go back to regular shoes over the following weeks. Swelling can take several months to settle fully. Your recovery plan, time off work and follow-up visits are set before surgery so you can plan around them.

Your options

Bunion treatment options

Treatment depends on how much the bunion hurts, how it is changing, and what you want to be able to do.

Shoes and padding

Wider toe boxes and pads that take pressure off the bump. Simple, and often enough for mild bunions.

Custom orthotics

Molded inserts that support the foot and can ease pain in the big toe joint.

Injections

For an inflamed, painful joint, an injection can calm the pain while other care takes effect.

Minimally invasive surgery

Realigns the joint through very small incisions, when your bunion is suited to it.

Traditional bunion surgery

For larger bunions or joints with arthritis, a standard approach may give a better correction.

Follow-up care

Dr. Rottenberg sees you after surgery herself, from the first dressing change to normal shoes.

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg

Who treats you

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, FACFAS

  • Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
  • Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Foot and ankle fellowship at Shaare Zedek Medical Center
  • The same doctor sees you at every visit, before and after any procedure

Telehealth available: some questions and follow-ups can be handled by video. Ask when you call.

Training, credentials and hospital affiliations

285 West End Ave at 73rd St · Mon–Thu, 9–5

Find out what your bunion needs.

An exam and standing X-rays tell you whether simple care is enough or surgery makes sense, and which kind.

Call (212) 724-4457 Book on Zocdoc

Questions patients ask

Bunions & Bunion Surgery: common questions.

Your own answer depends on an in-person exam. Call the office if your question is not here.

Call (212) 724-4457
Can a bunion go away without surgery?

No. Shoes, padding, orthotics and injections can ease the pain a great deal, but they do not move the joint back into line. Only surgery changes the shape of the joint. Many people never need it.

When should I consider bunion surgery?

Consider it when the bunion hurts in most shoes, limits walking or exercise, or keeps getting worse despite non-surgical care. Surgery for appearance alone is usually not recommended.

Am I a candidate for minimally invasive bunion surgery?

That depends on the size of your bunion, how the joint lines up and whether there is arthritis. Standing X-rays and an exam answer this. Dr. Rottenberg offers both minimally invasive and traditional surgery, so she can recommend the one that suits your foot.

How long will I be off my feet?

Most people walk in a protective shoe or boot soon after surgery. Time away from work depends on your job and the procedure. You will get a written recovery plan before surgery.

Can a bunion come back after surgery?

It can, but it is uncommon when the correction suits the bunion and recovery instructions are followed. Choosing the right procedure for your foot is the best protection.

Does insurance cover bunion surgery?

Many plans cover bunion surgery when it is medically necessary because of pain or limited function. Call the office with your plan name and we will help you check.

Related care

Other problems Dr. Rottenberg treats

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenail treatment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Read more

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Evaluation and treatment for heel and arch pain.

Read more

Toenail Fungus & Laser

Toenail fungus treatment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side: laser, prescription medicine and Keryflex nail restoration from podiatrist Dr.

Read more

Related reading

Articles on bunions & bunion surgery

Sources

Further reading from medical organizations

  • Bunions — American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FootHealthFacts)
  • Bunions — American Podiatric Medical Association
  • Bunions — American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo)
  • Bunions — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think you have an emergency, call 911.

Bunions & Bunion Surgery · Upper West Side

Find out what your bunion needs.

Call (212) 724-4457Contact the practice