Bunion

  • Hereditary condition
  • Deviation of the first metatarsal and big toe over time due to the forces of walking
  • Extremely common
  • 36% incidence
  • Shoes cause irritation and pain, but do not cause the bunion

A bunion is not just a bump it is a structural deformity

Most bunion procedures have a BAD reputation because cutting the metatarsal bone does not fix the problem

Lapiplasty restores normal anatomic alignment;
improving function and decreasing risk of recurrence of the bunion

What if there is arthritis in the big toe joint?

Triplane big toe joint fusion is an excellent alternative when there is arthritis in the big toe

  • This procedure treats the bunion and the arthritis simultaneously & prevents big toe joint pain in the future
  • The research shows alignment and function are excellent with this procedure
Studies confirm a wide range of activity is expected after triplane big toe fusion for bunions with arthritis

  • Walking without restrictions
  • Running
  • Most forms of exercise
  • No limitations for work
  • Most normal shoes with less than 1.5” heel
Big toe joint fusion looks & functions excellent
We use the same 3D principles, instrumentation and plating

Double Arthrodesis (“The Double”)

  • Sometimes there is a very severe bunion in addition to big toe joint arthritis
  • Both problems need to be addressed to get everything straight and relieve pain
  • The “double” is very effective and has a recovery similar to the other Lapiplasty® procedures
The “Double” is great for revision of failed traditional bunion procedures

What are the results after Lapiplasty ®?

98% of patients healed after bunion correction with fusion and biplanar plating
Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, 2018

98.4% of patients healed and only a 3% recurrence after Lapiplasty®
Foot & Ankle International, 2019

99% of patients healed and only a 1% recurrence after Lapiplasty®
Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, 2022

95% of patients functioned normally and had a 98% healing rate after Lapiplasty big toe joint fusions and Lapiplasty TMT and big toe joint fusions (‘Double’) combined
Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery 2023, 2024

What To Expect

  • An outpatient procedure lasting about 1.5 hours
  • Usually done with general anesthesia
  • We do just one foot at a time
    • The second side can be corrected after 4 months if needed
  • Pain is usually minimal to moderate and is controlled with a specific regimen of medications and nerve block
  • Ability to do ankle joint range of motion almost immediately after surgery
  • Approximately 6 weeks in a walking boot with light activity
    • Walking limited to 5-10 minutes each hour at first and progressing over that time to up to 15 minutes each hour
  • Return to heavier activity and sports after 3-4 months
  • As with all medical procedures results and recovery timing can vary from person to person

Possible issues following bone surgery

  • Swelling will be present for several weeks and could last several months
  • Scars can take up to 1-1.5 years to fade
  • There can be some numbness along the scars
  • Infection (<2% chance)
  • Need to remove plates and screws (5-10% chance)
  • Failure of bones to heal (<2% chance)
  • Recurrence of the original deformity (1-3% chance)
  • Need for further surgery (rare)