The Lapidus Bunion procedure, a highly bunion surgery since first described in 1934, has been re-designed and updated to allow for frontal plane correction (3D rotation of the 1st metatarsal and sesamoids) and now marketed as the LapiplastyTM
See the below X-rays for the difference in hardware between Lapidus and LapiplastyTM which are achieving the same outcome:
Lapidus
LapiplastyTM
IMPORTANT: No Bunion Surgeon should ever offer only one surgery for bunions. Different Procedures are indicated pending imaging and clinical appearance of your foot. This is not a one procedure fits all deformity.
*Indications for a Lapidus or LapiplastyTM Procedure:
Large IM (intermetatarsal angle)
Hypermobile 1st Ray
Atavistic Cuneiform
The Lapidus or LapiplastyTM Procedure Can Have Dramatic, Positive Outcomes
Dr. Thomas reports "The Lapidus or LapiplastyTM procedure has worked great in my patients in the past who were candidates for the surgery. However, only a small percentage of bunion patients I see require this more invasive fusion surgery, In order to achieve fusion and decrease risk for non-unions I prefer a modified LapiplastyTM procedure with adjust compression screws given less operating room time, hardware, and potential complications. Getting the sesamoid bones reduced to positions 0-3 is critical in having a good long term outcomes and decreasing recurrence risk."
The LapiplastyTM Bunion Procedure has decreased the risk of traditional Lapidus procedures and with new design techniques has advantages of minimal invasive incisions and small scars.
About LapiplastyTM Bunion Correction
For the right patient, and in the hands of the right surgeon, LapiplastyTM offers a near-zero percent of bunion recurrence for serious to severe bunion deformities
LapiplastyTM patients have speedier recoveries, with little or no pain, less downtime, earlier weight-bearing, and minimal scarring. For severely deformed bunions without arthritis this can be a preferred surgery due to
The bunion is corrected at the source of the deformity using patented instrumentation to manipulate the deviated bone back to its original position without cutting the bone.
Imaging and instrumentation allow a 3-Dimensional correction of the deformity identifying any alignment problems and both soft tissue and bone abnormalities to allow correction.
Our time-tested and evidence based post-surgical protocols allow for a less painful and quicker recovery with decreased risk. Many times patients are off pain medication within 1-2 days or don't even take pain medication at all.
Soft tissue great care is a top priority and with less invasive incisions and preferred tissue handing techniques this precise procedure allows for a better outcome. It takes years of training and effort to perform appropriate anatomic dissection, which is key to eliminating pain and scarring.
How is LapiplastyTM performed?
With the high-quality x-rays and sometimes weight bearing CT images and appropriate patient selection for the procedure this LapiplastyTM proprietary technology allows the misaligned bone and joint complex to be deviated bone back to its original position without cutting the bone, naturally realigning the foot and straightening the big toe, and alleviating the bump and accompanying pain.
Once proper alignment is achieved, LapiplastyTM uses innovative bone fixation technology to cut, fixate with low profile hardware, and secure the bones. This is an outpatient surgery done at either a surgery center or local hospital facility. The patient and Anesthesiologist can determine the type of anesthesia used from twilight (MAC anesthesia) to general up to the patient and Anesthesiologist comfort. A local nerve block is done at the site during surgery to allow for numbness afterwards until home and settled and medications are started afterwards to decrease pain.
Now Offered in a Minimal Invasive Surgery Option
Latest Advancement in this type of surgery is the Mini Incision LapiplastyTM
Potential Complications of Traditional Lapidus Procedures (note Not Dr. Thomas' Patients)
Video of LapiplastyTM Procedure (courtesy of Treace Medical)