Bunions – those bony bumps at the base of your big toe can cause serious pain and discomfort. Worse, they make it difficult to find shoes that fit or participate in activities you typically enjoy.
If you’ve tried conservative treatments like padding and wider shoes with little success, Lapiplasty surgery might be the answer you’ve been searching for. To help those in need learn about this powerful and innovative procedure, the team at New England Podiatry has decided to put together a brief blog on the subject.
What Makes It Different?
As a more recently developed procedure, Lapiplasty stands apart from other surgical techniques.
- Traditional bunionectomy procedures often address the bump itself by shaving down the bone or shifting it sideways.
- While this might offer temporary relief, it doesn’t address the underlying cause: A misaligned joint at the base of the big toe.
- This misalignment, affecting all three dimensions (length, width, and rotation), is what Lapiplasty targets.
A 3D Approach
Bunions are multifaceted problems, so it’s lucky that Lapiplasty provides a multifaceted solution.
- To perform a Lapiplasty procedure, a podiatrist uses specialized tools to meticulously realign the bones in the big toe joint.
- This not only corrects the bump but also repairs the natural structure of your foot.
- Small titanium plates are used to hold the bones in their new position. This allows for faster healing and a return to painless weight-bearing.
Benefits of Lapiplasty
Compared to traditional bunion surgery, Lapiplasty offers several advantages:
- Reduced recurrence:
By addressing the root cause of the bunion, Lapiplasty aims to prevent the deformity from returning or worsening.
- Faster recovery:
The minimally invasive nature of Lapiplasty and the use of titanium plates contribute to a quicker healing process.
- Improved long-term outcome:
A more anatomically correct repair of the joint can lead to better pain relief and function.
Suffering from bunions with no solution in sight? We’re here and ready to help you learn more! Contact us to see if Lapiplasty is the solution you’ve been seeking.
Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Zachary Sax, Dr. Joshua Oulette, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, and Dr. Raymond Murano III provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions and injuries. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!