Lapiplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects the root cause of bunions which is a misaligned toe bone. With an unbalanced foundation, the bone leans out of alignment and creates a bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe (Helms 2020). Most times that bunions are treated, only the top part of the bone is addressed and the real issue, which is the unstable joint, is ignored. This procedure corrects the root of the issue and shortens the time that patients need to wait to bear any pressure on the foot.
It is commonly misunderstood that the bone can just be shaved off. With the unstable joint as the problem and not being addressed, it is prone to return. Lapiplasty restores the bone to its proper alignment while straightening the toe and removing the bump. The unstable joint is then fused with titanium plates, which permanently secure the correction in place (Helms 2020). Recurrences can still happen, but the likelihood is much less.
Lapiplasty is an outpatient procedure that lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, while under an anesthetic. All patients return home the day of surgery. It is performed by a surgeon that has been especially trained.
The advanced fixation technology used in Lapiplasty allows patients to bear weight on their foot about 2 weeks after the surgery. Once fully recovered, physical activity and footwear choices aren’t limited from this procedure. Typically, a patient can continue with light to normal activity within 4-6 weeks. When the 6-8 week mark is reached, it is fine to transition into comfortable shoes and shortly after you may return to regular physical activity.
If you believe you may be a candidate for Lapiplasty, contact a physician today.