If you’ve ever dealt with a bunion, you know it’s more than a cosmetic concern. Bunions can make everyday activities uncomfortable, limit shoe choices, and cause pain that slowly worsens over time. When non-surgical options stop helping, surgery may be the next step.
To help you make an informed decision, let’s look at two types of bunion surgery: traditional 2D and modern 3D correction techniques.
Bunions and Their Symptoms
A bunion typically forms when prolonged pressure on the big toe pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, an extra bone forms at the base of the big toe. Besides the bulging bump you can see and feel, symptoms of a bunion include:
- Pain or stiffness
- Swelling
- Discoloration or redness
- Difficulty wearing certain types of shoes
- An inability to move or bend your toe
- Corns or calluses
- Hammertoes
- Numbness in or around your toe
How Traditional Bunion Surgery Approaches the Problem
Traditional bunion surgery uses a two-dimensional approach that addresses the symptoms. During an osteotomy, the metatarsal bone is cut in half and moved over to reduce the appearance of the bump and straighten the toe. While this improves alignment initially, the bone itself remains crooked, and the unstable joint is left uncorrected.
As a result, the bunion may return over time.
What Makes 3D Bunion Surgery Different
Lapiplasty® corrects bunion misalignment by addressing the unstable joint from multiple directions, rather than focusing on a single plane. Using advanced instrumentation, the surgeon rotates the bone back to its normal position, which naturally removes the bump and straightens the toe. Patented titanium plates then secure the joint in place, allowing patients to walk within days.
While each patient’s recovery time looks different, you could walk in a boot in 10 days, transition back into comfortable shoes in 6 weeks, and resume most activities and return to normal footwear in 4 months.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
Bunion pain doesn’t have to dictate how you move or the shoes you wear, or the activities you enjoy. At The Foot & Ankle Center, Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ is available to address the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
The knowledgeable podiatrists will help you determine if Lapiplasty® is right for you. They provide thorough evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and offer safe, effective treatment options that relieve pain quickly.
Give us a call at (314) 487-9300 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment today!