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Lapiplasty: A New Treatment Option for Bunions

Posted on March 8, 2023

If you have painful bunions, there is a new, patented treatment option that aims to fix the root cause of the bunion and can often times have patients walking again within days of the surgery.

Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction is the newest way to address and repair bunions. Dr Desai is offering this exciting, new treatment option which does more than simply remove “the bump”; it addresses the bunion in three dimensions to correct the root of the problem. Advanced fixation technology is used to secure the correction in place, allowing patients to walk within days of surgery. Sometimes traditional surgery has failed to get to the true source of the problem – a 3-dimensional deformity caused by an unstable joint. This is why sometimes people who have had traditional surgery have had their bunions return.

With the new 3D bunion correction procedure, instead of cutting the bone in half and shifting the top part over, the patented Lapiplasty® Procedure uses specially-designed instrumentation to rotate the entire deviated bone back into its normal anatomical position, naturally straightening your toe; removing the “bump” and associated pain. Innovative titanium plating technology permanently secures the unstable foundation, the root of your bunion problem. Most patients are able to walk within days of surgery. No cast is required; allowing patients to get back to the shoe wear of their choice and activities quickly.

If bunions are limiting your activities and lifestyle there is help!

Bunions can be very painful. With each step, your entire body weight rests on that bunion. Ouch! A common misconception about a bunion is that it is an overgrowth of bone that can simply be “shaved off”. In reality, bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint.

The patented titanium plating technology used with the Lapiplasty®Procedure enables patients to bear weight on their foot early.1 The ability to do so can dramatically improve your recovery process, allowing you to walk up to 6-8 weeks earlier than with the more traditional Lapidus approach (which was previously the only option for addressing the unstable joint).

Being able to walk in a surgical boot, as opposed to being completely non-weight bearing (in a cast with scooter or crutches) for 6-8 weeks, means that you will be getting back to a better quality of life faster; may return to most occupations more quickly; and will be less inconvenienced by bunion surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lapiplasty

How long is the recovery? 

Patients are typically walking within days of surgery. Patients can return to most occupations within days to a couple of weeks, wearing a surgical boot. Within six weeks, you can expect to be walking in comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes, however you should not plan on any high-impact activities for 3-4 months. Short shopping trips and leisurely strolls are examples of the types of activities that should be fine at this point. Around the 4-month mark post-op, you should be able to return to most activities and most shoe wear. 

Can I wear fashionable shoes again? 

The Lapiplasty® Procedure allows most patients to return to their desired shoes. Of course, some fashionable shoes can be painful (even with a normal foot!), so results can vary from person to person and shoe to shoe. 

Can I play sports after the Lapiplasty® Procedure? 

Yes, there are no permanent activity limitations after the Lapiplasty® Procedure. Most patients are able to return to most activities after the bones have completely healed at approximately 4 months. 

Can the Lapiplasty® Procedure be performed on someone who has previously had traditional surgery? 

Yes, the Lapiplasty® Procedure is an option that can be utilized by your doctor when a revision is required. Even if previously treated, patients can experience the same benefits from Lapiplasty® – with a permanently secured foundational joint this time around. 

I’ve heard the term “reproducible” used when describing the Lapiplasty® Procedure. What does that mean? 

“Reproducible” means that a procedure is easily repeatable with expected results. The Lapiplasty® Procedure utilizes precision, patented instrumentation designed to take the guesswork and “eyeballing” out of bunion surgery; helping ensure your surgeon can get reliable results over and over. 

Can the Lapiplasty® Procedure be performed as an outpatient procedure & how long does it last?

Yes, Lapiplasty® surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures. Typically, the surgery will last just under an hour. If your doctor is performing any additional procedures at the same time, the surgery may take longer. 

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