3D Bunion Correction | Weil Foot & Ankle Institute

There is a procedure in bunion correction which was first described in 1911. The procedure was popularized in the years to follow and ultimately published by Paul W. Lapidus. Lapidus was a foot and ankle surgeon and having been a pioneer in this procedure, this procedure (which consists of fusing the unstable joint in the foot that creates bunions) was named after him. Lapi is a nod to the original procedure described, though the instrumentation and surgical hardware has evolved especially in recent years.

Now that we have discussed the nitty gritty details of this surgery, how about the recovery? The traditional Lapidus procedures were held in place, fixated, with relatively simple constructs. For this reason, the foot had to be generously protected after surgery so as not to disturb the bone or risk shifting of the position achieved in surgery. Because bone takes 6-10 weeks to fully heal, this means not putting weight on the foot for that same timeframe. Now you may think “wow, how inconvenient” but consider also that there is increased post-operative risk when not weightbearing.

Atrophy of muscles, weakening or softening of bone as well as the formation of blood clots are a reality of non-weightbearing status. Swelling also tends to linger more if your leg muscles are not pumping the veins in the leg with each step, as they do when you have no walking restrictions. Therefore, there is a timeframe in which it is preferred to start walking again after surgery. It is the sweet spot between minimizing risk of complications for non-weightbearing and those with weightbearing.

The lapiplasty system at its best allows weightbearing within 1 week of surgery. The individual having surgery may have additional concerns that postpone this, but with other systems, weightbearing is closer to 3 weeks with the assistance of physical therapy. That’s still a far cry from the 2-3 months it used to be.

Physical therapy after reconstructive foot surgery is essential. Our bodies heal by making scar tissue and physical therapy can help reduce stiffness and restrictions after surgery. Additionally, being non-weightbearing and having had a different gait pattern before surgical correction adds difficulty in getting back to your regular routine. Most physical therapy programs begin once stitches are removed and there is some nifty equipment available now that helps to slowly return you to your previous level of function with as little difficulty as possible.

So, if there are multiple ways to have this 3D bunion correction performed, what is right for you?
This boils down to a conversation with your surgeon. Not all systems are available at all surgical locations and as with anything, one system may be preferred over another based on surgeon preference and patient profile.

If you have a bunion – painful or not – a consultation with a podiatrist will afford you a wealth of information and recommendations. The decision to have foot surgery is a big one, but we are here to help you understand your options, giving you confidence in the plan that is best for you.
Call or email for an appointment today!

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