Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Surgery vs. Traditional Methods

If your bunions have gone from a minor irritation to an increasingly painful inconvenience, it may be time to consider surgery. Have you heard about Lapiplasty™? It’s the most advanced version of bunion surgery available. Here’s how it works.

Millions of Americans deal with bunions, an uncomfortable and often progressive foot condition that can make every step painful.

If conservative care doesn’t solve your bunion pain, surgery may be your best option. However, traditional bunion surgery can mean weeks of not bearing weight and then months of walking with crutches, and it doesn’t address the root cause of the bunion deformity.

We’re always seeking the best treatment solutions for painful or worrisome foot conditions here at Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates P.C. in Park City and Chicago, Illinois. It’s why our team favors Lapiplasty™ 3D surgery for bunions that interfere with your quality of life.

Unlike traditional bunion surgery, which only flattens the bump, Lapiplasty corrects the root cause of the deformity in three dimensions for long-lasting results.

Here’s more about Lapiplasty and why we favor it over traditional bunion surgery when conservative care doesn’t provide adequate relief.

Understanding the difference

Traditional bunion surgery (osteotomy) involves shaving and repositioning the bone creating your bunion. That makes the foot look straighter. However, the technique corrects a bunion in two dimensions, side to side, without stabilizing the MTP joint at the root of the problem.

That means the first metatarsal bone can continue to drift out of alignment over time, leading to recurrent joint misalignment.

In contrast, Lapiplasty 3D bunion surgery corrects the bunion in all three dimensions. Your surgeon doesn’t just shave off the bump; we rotate the misaligned bone back into its natural position and secure it with specially designed titanium plates.

By addressing the instability at the MTP joint (the bunion’s true source), Lapiplasty aims to deliver permanent correction instead of temporary relief.

Benefits of Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction

3D realignment corrects the entire bone rather than just the visible bump, offering benefits such as:

Improved stability

Titanium plates hold the bones securely, minimizing the risk of recurrence.

Earlier weight bearing

After Lapiplasty, most patients can walk in a surgical boot within days, rather than being off their feet for weeks.

More natural appearance

Lapiplasty restores normal foot anatomy for a balanced and comfortable gait. Patients often report less pain, faster recovery, and higher satisfaction compared to traditional procedures.

Is Lapiplasty right for you?

Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction is suitable for many patients who struggle with moderate to severe bunions, chronic pain, or bunion recurrence after previous surgery.

However, every foot is unique. During your consultation, your podiatrist performs a thorough examination, reviews X-rays, and discusses whether Lapiplasty is the right choice for your condition, activity level, and goals.

Lapiplasty represents a significant leap forward in bunion correction. By fixing the root cause in three dimensions, it offers long-term results that traditional methods can’t consistently achieve.

Are you ready to walk comfortably again and reduce your risk of bunion recurrence? It may be time to talk to the team at Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates about Lapiplasty 3D bunion surgery.

Schedule a visit today by calling the office near you or requesting an appointment online.