Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
I’m sure you are familiar with the term bunion. You may even have a bunion or know someone that has a bunion. A bunion also known as hallux valgus causes a “bump” that can be painful while in shoes. A bunion can progress and eventually cause your big toe to sit on top of your second toe, causing additional pain. Wearing wide toed shoes with insoles can help relieve some pain and pressure. Ultimately, surgery is the only way to correct a bunion.
Previously, bunions were corrected by a 2-D osteotomy. This procedure has a high recurrence rate meaning that the bunion would most likely return within a few years. For these reason, many people fear having their bunion corrected. The good news is: there are new and innovative ways to correct your bunion. I’d like to introduce a procedure called the Lapiplasty by Treace Medical.
The Lapiplasty is a 3-D bunion correction procedure. The patented procedure is designed to permanently correct your bunion. This means your bunion will not return. The Lapiplasty is a 3-D bunion correction (meaning, it corrects the deformity in all 3 planes) by addressing the root cause, resulting in permanent bunion removal. Another advantage of this procedure is that patients can resume walking with a boot in two weeks. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, allowing patients to return home that same day. Minimal pain is associated with recovery, but everyone is different. Your experience may not always be the same as someone’s else’s. During the recovery period, you will be placed in a boot during your first post op appointment. Patients will avoid walking and putting pressure on the foot for 1 – 2 weeks. Again, the patient will use a boot following the procedure for a duration of 6-8 weeks. If your right foot is the surgical foot, no driving for at least 4 weeks. Swelling and numbness are the most common complaints after surgery. Swelling is expected after any foot surgery and can last for a year. Numbness should resolve over time, but permanent numbness to areas around the surgical site or your big toe can be permanent. This should not affect your daily activities if you do develop any numbness.
To learn more about bunion correction procedures and if you are a candidate for the Lapiplasty procedure, please contact your local foot and ankle surgeon.
Family Foot and Leg Center
239-430-3668
www.NaplesPodiatrist.com
9510 Corkscrew Palms Cir #3, ESTERO
6846 International Center Blvd., Suite B, FORT MYERS
1645 Colonial Blvd., FORT MYERS
530 SE 16th Pl., Cape Coral
