
Best Shoes for Bunions: What to Look For, From a Podiatrist
Finding shoes that feel comfortable with a bunion can be frustrating. A shoe may look
Foot and ankle pain can gradually change the way you go about your day. You might find yourself avoiding longer walks, having trouble standing comfortably at work, or dealing with soreness that returns whenever you become more active. Even a minor problem can become frustrating when it continues to interfere with your routine.
Vale Foot and Ankle Surgery provides podiatry care for patients from New Milford, CT, at our Newtown office. Our podiatrists treat conditions affecting the feet and ankles, including heel pain, bunions, arthritis, tendon problems, and injuries that make movement uncomfortable.
Whether you are dealing with a recent injury or a condition that has been bothering you for years, our team can help determine what is causing your symptoms. We offer both conservative and surgical treatment options, with care based on your diagnosis and how the problem affects your everyday life.
Foot problems can develop from everyday wear and tear, changes in foot structure, or injuries that place too much stress on certain areas. Some conditions cause occasional discomfort, while others can make walking or wearing shoes increasingly difficult.
Our podiatrists treat conditions such as:
If discomfort keeps returning or has started affecting your mobility, a podiatry examination can help identify what is happening and whether treatment is needed.
Old Observatory
153 S Main Street, Unit A
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: (203) 941-6999
Fax: (203) 463-8308
Office Hours
Mon – Thu: 9 AM – 5 PM
Fri: 9 AM – 12 PM
Sat – Sun: Closed
Provider at this location
Dr. Khoa Nguyen and Dr. Chelsea Viola
Foot pain is not always caused by a problem in the area where you feel it. Sometimes, the way your foot is shaped or how you walk can place extra stress on certain joints and tissues. When pain keeps returning, looking at these factors can help explain why the problem has not improved.
During your visit, our podiatrists will ask about your symptoms and examine the affected area. They may also assess how your foot moves and whether your footwear or daily activities could be contributing to the problem.
Depending on your condition, the examination may include:
This information allows our podiatrists to get a better understanding of your problem and prescribe the right treatment for the cause of your pain.
Many foot and ankle conditions respond well to conservative treatment, especially when the cause of the problem is identified early. For some patients, changing footwear or reducing strain on the affected area can make a meaningful difference. Others may need additional support or medical treatment to manage their symptoms.
Conservative treatment at Vale Foot and Ankle Surgery includes orthotic devices, braces, medication, injections, or a recommendation for physical therapy. For selected cases, we also provide shockwave treatment for foot and ankle pathologies.
Though surgery is not always required, sometimes there is no way to get rid of a problem without it. When surgery is needed, our doctors inform patients about the procedure and possible recovery.
Foot and ankle pain should not keep you from your normal routine. Our team will do our best to find an appointment time that works for your schedule.
Dr. Khoa Nguyen grew up in Vietnam and moved to the United States at the age of twelve. Dr.Nguyen has lived in…
Dr. Chelsea Viola grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut and is a graduate of Glastonbury High School. She then a…
Dr. Brittany L. Hervey is an Ivy league trained foot and ankle surgeon who was born and raised in Bethpage, New York. She …
Dr. Kimberly Inocco is a board-certified podiatric physician and Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine…
When foot pain lasts longer than expected, it can be difficult to know whether you should continue resting, change your activities, or seek treatment. Some people have already tried different shoes or inserts without much improvement. Others are concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of a more serious problem.
We can help our patients to understand what is wrong with their feet and how it can be corrected. The Newtown office helps New Milford residents receive medical services for any foot problem, ranging from recurring heel conditions to problems that require surgery.
Our podiatrists also consider how your symptoms affect your everyday life. For some patients, that means finding a way to return to exercise without discomfort. For others, it means being able to spend more time on their feet or manage a condition that has been causing problems for years. Understanding what matters most to you helps us recommend treatment that fits your needs.
Because our practice provides both conservative and surgical care, patients can discuss a range of treatment options with the same team. We also provide follow-up care to assess how treatment is working and whether adjustments are needed.

Finding shoes that feel comfortable with a bunion can be frustrating. A shoe may look

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Yes. Plantar fasciitis can return after your heel has felt better for months or even
Foot and ankle problems can become harder to manage when pain keeps returning or begins limiting your daily activities. A podiatry evaluation can help you understand what is causing the discomfort and whether treatment could help.
Vale Foot and Ankle Surgery welcomes patients from New Milford, CT, to our Newtown office. Whether you need help with an ongoing foot condition or a recent injury, our podiatrists can recommend care based on your needs.
Leader in Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
Dr. Khoa Nguyen is a triple board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery. Having performed more than 10,000 foot and ankle procedures, including over 2,500 minimally invasive bunion surgeries, he is among Connecticut’s most experienced minimally invasive bunion surgeons.
What sets Dr. Nguyen apart is his commitment to individualized care. He has extensive experience with more than 10 minimally invasive bunion systems from leading medical device manufacturers. This allows him to select the technology and technique best suited to each patient’s anatomy, deformity, lifestyle, and goals.
As one of the early pioneers of minimally invasive bunion surgery in the United States, Dr. Nguyen has spent more than a decade advancing surgical techniques that reduce pain, minimize scarring, shorten recovery, and improve long-term outcomes. He completed advanced fellowship training in Austria, where he trained and collaborated alongside internationally recognized foot and ankle surgeons in many of today’s most advanced reconstructive and minimally invasive procedures.
Today, Dr. Nguyen is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally, educating surgeons and residents on advanced foot and ankle surgery. He also serves as a U.S. Board Member for Surgebright and was among the first surgeons in the United States to perform bunion correction using human cortical bone screw technology, helping introduce one of the newest biologic fixation options to American patients.
Dr. Nguyen is also recognized for his expertise in all-natural bunion correction, an innovative approach that allows appropriately selected patients to avoid permanent metal implants while preserving the foot’s natural anatomy.
Whether treating bunions, arthritis, sports injuries, fractures, tendon disorders, ankle instability, or complex foot and ankle deformities, Dr. Nguyen believes every patient deserves an individualized treatment plan centered on the least invasive solution that provides the best possible long-term outcome. His mission is simple: to help every patient recover with less pain, regain mobility sooner, and return to the activities they love.
Oxford and Newtown Offices
Dr. Chelsea Viola grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut and is a graduate of Glastonbury High School. She then attended The University of Maryland at College Park and where she was awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship and graduated with Honors in Biology in 2010. After four years in New York City attending the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where she graduated in the top of her class, Dr. Viola then completed her surgical residency training with the Atlantic Health System at Morristown Medical Center, a Trauma 2, where she successfully completed over 2000 surgical procedures in various lower extremity procedures, including complex reconstructive limb deformity and trauma cases. Dr. Viola then relocated from New Jersey to Florida to pursue an opportunity to contribute and advance the growing need for lower extremity trauma services in Lee County. After two years, she decided to return home to Connecticut to be closer to family and use her growing knowledge to assist the Southern New England community. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Viola held a COVID-19 safe wedding ceremony in October of 2020. During her spare time, she enjoys indoor and outdoor cycling, swimming, NFL Football, science fiction, and all things Halloween.
Diplomat, American Board of Podiatric Medicine
Board Qualified, Foot Surgery
Board Qualified, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery
Certified in Total Ankle Replacement – Integra Cadence
Certified in Minimally Invasive Ankle Arthroscopic Surgery
Limb Deformity Correction with External Fixation
Cosmetic Correction of Bunions and Hammertoes
Minimally Invasive Treatments with Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
KeryFlex Cosmetic Nail Restoration
Shelton Office
Dr. Brittany L. Hervey is an Ivy league trained foot and ankle surgeon who was born and raised in Bethpage, New York. She received her undergraduate degree in biology at Seton Hall University, where she graduated magna cum laude. As an undergraduate, she was a decorated NCAA Division 1 student-athlete in one and three meter springboard diving. Dr. Hervey then went on to receive her doctorate degree at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2018, where she graduated in the top five percent of her class with honors. As a podiatric medical student she received the JT Tai Scholarship for academic excellence and was inducted into the Pi Delta national podiatric honor society.
After earning her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, she went on to complete a three year podiatric medical and surgical residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. She received exceptional training in diabetic limb salvage, complex lower extremity deformity correction and foot and ankle trauma at a nationally ranked level one trauma center. Dr. Hervey is a member of the Yale Surgical Society. She is a dedicated practitioner who is committed to providing high-quality medical and surgical care to the community. In her spare time she enjoys attending concerts and sporting events, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Diplomat, American Board of Podiatric Medicine
Board Qualified, Foot Surgery
Board Qualified, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery
Glastonbury Office
Dr. Kimberly Inocco is a board-certified podiatric physician and Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. She is also a board-qualified foot and ankle reconstructive surgeon. After growing up in Huntington, New York she attended the University of Delaware and obtained a degree in Biological Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Inocco then spent four years in New York City attending the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where she received her doctorate. She was inducted into Pi Delta National Podiatry Honor Society upon graduation, demonstrating high standards of intellectual and scholarly accomplishments. Dr. Inocco’s academic background is the basis of her patient care where she strives to provide up-to-date treatments and evidence-based medicine.
Dr. Inocco completed an intensive 3-year surgical residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, a Level-1 Trauma Center in Neptune, New Jersey. Her strong work ethic granted her the honor of graduating as Chief Resident. Her training included pediatric and adult foot and ankle trauma, elective forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle reconstructive surgery, arthroscopy, minimally-invasive bunion surgery, as well as diabetic limb salvage through the hospital’s distinguished wound care center.
Dr. Inocco brings an energetic, friendly approach to her patient care. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, boating, trying new restaurants and cuisines, visiting her family and friends, and going to the beach. She is excited to serve the community and bring her talents and expertise to the offices of Vale Foot and Ankle Surgery!