Bunions can be very painful. With each step, 85 % of your entire body weight goes through that bunion. Ouch! A common misconception about a bunion is that it is an overgrowth of bone that can simply be “shaved off”. Bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint and must be fixed at their root with Lapiplasty.
Relief is here. Now, there’s a new, patented treatment for bunion correction. Dr. Schoenhaus is offering this exciting, new treatment option which does more than simply remove “the bump”; it addresses your bunion in three dimensions to correct the root of the problem so the bunion does not come back. Advanced fixation technology is used to secure the correction in place, which allows patients to walk within days of surgery. During your consultation with Dr. Gold, he will determine if a Lapiplasty is the best option for you.
Lapiplasty®
3D Bunion Correction
Traditional
2D Bunion Surgery
Begin to put some weight on your foot1,2
Walk in a boot and return to daily activities
Transition back into comfortable shoes
Resume most activities and return to normal footwear
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.
Your questions answered
Below are some questions patients commonly ask and their respective answers:
Lapiplasty bunion correction works by addressing the bunion at the location of the deformity, causing the bones to shift. Using three dimensions, the correction fixes the condition by fixing the joint, the bone alignment, and the rotation that causes the bunion. By addressing the bunion in these dimensions there are optimal outcomes that are reliable, reproducible and with less change of future recurrence.
Traditional bunion surgery can be effective. However, traditional bunion procedures are only sometimes performed due to problems with pain and healing. Traditional bunion surgery often causes post-operative pain, joint stiffness, swelling, and recurrence, which is when the bunion returns. Lapiplasty procedures have made bunion surgery much easier for the patient to heal and walk without pain or recurrence as they age and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.
Lapiplasty can be performed on both feet simultaneously; however, it is not commonly recommended. Under certain circumstances, your doctor may approve of this. To have both feet done simultaneously, we recommend that you have a lot of assistance at home and be off your feet in a wheelchair for at least four weeks.
The best way to prepare for your Lapiplasty procedure is the following:
One reason Lapiplasty has been so successful is the low recurrence rates. Studies show that there is only a 1-3% recurrence rate at 13-17 months after the surgery. This is very low for bunion surgeries. Choosing the right surgeon who has performed multiple Lapiplasty procedures and is a board-certified surgeon is essential to ensure the best outcomes.
Your doctor will determine exercise post-procedure and how fast you are healing. It takes the body six to eight weeks to recover from the procedure, with most people back in a sneaker by six weeks. Upper body and core exercises can be performed as early as three weeks while your foot is in a walking boot. You can slowly return to activity and exercise once you have transitioned from your healing boot or shoe to a supportive sneaker. It is advised to start with activities that do not require a lot of force through the foot, such as swimming and an elliptical. By eight to ten weeks, you can add cycling and rowing; returning to running takes time and is usually comfortable at ten to twelve weeks.
After fully recovering from your procedure, you should be able to perform most activities you desire without limitations.
After Lapiplasty surgery, you will be able to bend your big toe. One reason the Lapiplasty procedure has been so successful is that traditional bunion surgery caused pain and stiffness in the big toe joint that lasted up to a year. Now, with the Lapiplasty procedure, the bunion is corrected away from the actual big toe joint. Because of the correction away from the joint, the joint can move freely post-procedure.
The procedure is an outpatient procedure and typically will take about an hour. If your doctor is performing any additional procedures at the same time the surgery may take longer.
