You’ve come to the right place if you’re considering bunion surgery. In this article, we’ll walk you through lapiplasty bunion surgery pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision.
If you’ve got bunions in your feet, you know how annoying they can be and how hard it can be to move around. Luckily, a new medical option can help you eliminate them – lapiplasty surgery!
But if you’re considering this procedure, you need to know the pros and cons. So, here’s our guide to helping you make the right decision regarding bunion surgery for your foot health.
Table of Contents
Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery Cost
If uninsured, bunion surgery could cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000. It all depends on the location, the surgeon, how much you need the surgery done, and whether you have insurance.
You’ll need to pay for the surgery, plus any doctor’s fees, anaesthesia, hospital fees, and any post-surgical care. You’ll also need to talk to your doctor to find out what kind of insurance you have and what out-of-pocket costs you’ll have.
Some insurance plans might cover the surgery, but you’ll likely have to pay more for a higher deductible or co-pay.
Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery Recovery Time
You should consider getting lapiplasty bunion surgery if you have bunions. It’s a relatively new and cutting-edge way to treat them. The time it takes to recover can vary, but here’s a general timeline.
Immediate Post-Surgery
- You’ll probably be in the recovery room for a few hours after the surgery.
- During that time, the doctors will check your vitals and make sure you’re okay.
- You’ll probably have a plaster or a boot on your leg.
First Week
- The first week is about keeping your foot up as much as possible to keep it from swelling up.
- You’ll probably get some pain meds to help with any pain you might be having.
- You might be able to use some crutches and a walker for a while, but you won’t be able to put much weight on your operated foot.
2-4 Weeks
Depending on what your surgeon tells you, you can start lifting weights with a special shoe or boot after your surgery.
You may also start physical therapy or exercise to help improve your mobility and strength during this time.
6-12 weeks
- As your bones and soft tissue heal, you’ll carry more weight on your foot.
- Your doctor will monitor how you’re doing with regular check-ups.
- You might still need a supportive boot or shoe during this time.
3-6 Months
After 3-6 months, most people can return to doing most of the things they used to do, but things like running and jumping are more limited.
You might still need physical therapy to keep your strength and flexibility up.
6-12 months
- A full recovery may take up to 12 months or more.
- Following your surgeon’s instructions, including exercises and restrictions, is important.
Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery Pros and Cons
The Pros of Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery
Lapiplasty bunion surgery offers several benefits, making it an appealing choice for those dealing with bunions.
- Lapiplasty surgery doesn’t just address the symptoms. Still, it corrects the bunion at its root cause, providing a more long-lasting solution.
- It typically allows for quicker recovery times, meaning you can return to your regular activities sooner.
- It significantly lowers the risk of the bunion returning, offering lasting relief.
- It results in a more aesthetically pleasing outcome with minimal scarring.
- Lapiplasty surgery can lead to improved joint function and less pain.
- Many patients report less post-operative pain and discomfort compared to traditional surgery methods.
- After lapiplasty surgery, you may have fewer restrictions on physical activities, allowing you to enjoy a more active lifestyle.
- Lapiplasty has a high success rate, with many patients experiencing significant relief and satisfaction.
- Surgeons can tailor the procedure to your needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
The Cons of Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery
While lapiplasty surgery has numerous advantages, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks.
- It can be more expensive than traditional bunion surgery.
- Not all medical facilities offer lapiplasty surgery, which can limit your options.
- Like any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications, such as infection or adverse reactions to anaesthesia.
- While recovery is generally quicker than traditional surgery, you’ll still need to allow for some downtime.
- Bunions Lapiplasty is most effective for specific types of bunions, and your surgeon will determine if you’re a suitable candidate.
- The success of lapiplasty surgery is closely tied to the skill and experience of the surgeon, so choosing the right one is crucial.
- While many experience less pain, discomfort is still possible during recovery.
- Some patients may experience joint stiffness after the procedure, impacting mobility.
- The long-term effects of lapiplasty surgery are still being studied, so it’s essential to consider potential implications down the road.
Lapiplasty vs. Traditional Bunion Surgery
Both lapiplasty and bunion surgery are used to fix bunions. Still, a few things make one better than the other. It all depends on the patient’s health and what they want.
Talking to an orthopaedic surgeon about what’s best for you is important. Here’s a comparison of the two.
Lapiplasty
3D Correction
3D correction is one of the most popular types of lapiplasty. The goal of 3D correction is to correct bunions by straightening the bones from front to back, from side to side, and from side to side.
The bones are straightened in sagittal, axial, and coronal dimensions. It allows for more stable and long-lasting results.
Quicker Recovery
Lapiplasty patients often have a quicker recovery time than those who have had surgery in the past. They may gain weight faster and get back to their regular activities sooner.
Less Chance of Recurrence
Lapiplasty may reduce the likelihood of bunions recurring because it corrects the deformity in multiple dimensions.
Minimal Hardware
Lapiplasty usually uses a titanium plate to hold the repaired bones in place. This hardware is intended to remain in the foot for life but does not usually cause pain.
Traditional Bunion Surgery
Various Techniques
- Depending on the surgeon and the patient’s needs, bunion surgery has several different types.
- These include osteotomy, which involves cutting and reshaping the bones, and soft tissue procedures.
Longer History
This surgery has been done for a long time, and the results are documented. Some surgeons may have a lot of experience with this type of surgery.
Recovery Time
The recovery time for bunion surgery is different, but sometimes it may take longer than lapiplasty. It usually involves less weight-bearing at first.
Risk of Recurrence: Bunions sometimes return after regular treatments, especially if you don’t address the root cause.
Lapiplasty complications
If you have a bunion, consider getting lapiplasty, a surgical procedure to fix it. It’s not as common as other types of surgery, but it can still cause some issues. Most people who get lapiplasty have good results, but there are a few things to remember.
Infection
No matter what kind of surgery you have, there’s always a chance of infection. You might notice that your pain is worse, your skin is redder, your body swells up, or you have some discharge from the surgery. Most of the time, these infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Nerve Damage
There is a small risk of nerve damage during surgery. If nerves are damaged, you may experience numbness or twitching in your toes. It is usually temporary but may be permanent.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are very rare, but they can form in your legs (called a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)) or travel to your lungs (a Pulmonary Embolism (PEL)) after surgery. You may use compression stockings or blood thinners to reduce the risk.
Delayed Healing
Some people’s wounds take longer or don’t heal properly, which can cause them to take longer to recover.
Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion
Stiffness of the big toe joint can occur in some patients after surgery and can reduce the range of motion. It can be managed through physical therapy.
Hardware Complications
In most cases, lapiplasty involves putting screws or plates in place to hold the bone. In some cases, hardware issues can happen, like getting irritated, getting loosened, or breaking.
Recurrence
Lapiplasty can fix the bunion at the root, but there’s still a chance it might come back, especially if you don’t follow the post-op instructions and advice.
Pain
For some patients, the pain may persist or return after surgery. Several things, such as incomplete correction, nerve problems, or other foot issues, may cause it.
Allergic Reactions
Patients may often experience allergic reactions to surgical materials, including metal implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recovery time for lapiplasty bunion surgery?
It can take longer or shorter than regular surgery. Still, most people can return to normal activities in a few weeks.
How long do the results of lapiplasty surgery last?
Lapiplasty is a type of surgery meant to give you long-lasting results. It is way less likely to cause a bunion recurrence.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to lapiplasty for treating bunions?
Suppose you’re looking for a way to treat your bunions without surgery. In that case, you can do a few things, like wearing orthotics and changing your lifestyle. But it all depends on how bad your bunion is.
Takeaway Message
Lapiplasty surgery is a great option for treating bunions, but it’s important to consider the lapiplasty bunion surgery pros and cons. It can fix your bunion quickly but can also be expensive, and the surgeon may need to be better.
Knowing the pros and cons of lapiplasty can help you make the best decision for your foot and overall health. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional about your case and treatment options.
