Got Bunions? Get Relief!

During my career of over 25 years as an orthopedic surgery specialist, I have had the opportunity to treat patients with all kinds of foot and ankle problems. There are a variety of conditions that I see regularly in my practice including hammertoes, arthritis and sports injuries, but one of the most common foot problems my practice treats is bunions. In the past, the reputations of surgical treatment options often deterred patients from seeking treatment. However, innovative new surgical options have made me determined to correct the many misconceptions surrounding this disruptive medical condition.

Almost 25% of the U.S. population lives with bunions and they are commonly believed to be a simple overgrowth of bone on the side of the big toe, but this is far from the truth. Bunions are actually caused by a complex bone and joint “instability” that causes the bones in the big toe to drift out of alignment. The condition is progressive and often causes worsening pain and discomfort as patients age. Many of my patients come to see me after they experience significant pain while wearing shoes for long periods of time or even completing daily tasks. As their bunions worsen, they find themselves cutting back on or completely stopping the physical activities they once enjoyed such as running, tennis or yoga.

Even though I am an orthopedic surgeon, I often offer patients nonsurgical options to address their bunions when they first consult with me. Splints, pads and shoe modification can sometimes temporarily alleviate discomfort but unfortunately, the only way to truly correct a bunion is with surgery. In the past, the standard bunion removal method was a 2D osteotomy procedure which didn’t address the root cause of the problem. The procedure often requires patients to be off their feet for six to eight weeks and it carries a risk of about 70% that the bunion will return.

In 2018, I began offering the Lapiplasty® Procedure to my patients The procedure was cleared by the FDA in 2016 and involves using a system of patented titanium plates to correctly position and secure the misaligned bones in the foot. This approach addresses the structural aspects of the bunion deformity. It is also appealing to patients because it allows most to bear weight on their foot while wearing a walking boot within days after surgery. Many of them are back to their usual activities, including working out, about four months after their procedures. The procedure comes with a rate of only 1-3% of bunion recurrence, as seen in 13- and 17-month clinical trials, respectively.

The Lapiplasty® Procedure is now being performed by a growing number of surgeons throughout the United States, but I’m proud to have been the first surgeon in Las Vegas area to offer this procedure. It has brought me great joy to address patients’ pain from bunions so that they can return to exercising and enjoying activities with their families and friends once again.

For more information about the Lapiplasty® Procedure visit Lapiplasty.com. To schedule an appointment with me, call 702-731-4088 or visit DOCLV.com.

Only a surgeon can tell if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ is right for you. As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary and this experience is unique and specific to this patient only. There are potential risks with surgery and recovery takes time. Potential risks include, but are not limited to: infection, pain, discomfort from the presence of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction with nonunion or malunion.