Bunions can be a painful and frustrating foot condition. If you've recently undergone a Lapiplasty Bunion 3D Correction, congratulations on taking the first step toward a pain-free, more comfortable future! As you embark on your journey to recovery, it's important to know what to expect and how to care for your feet after the surgery. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the typical post-operative care for a Lapiplasty Bunion correction.
**1. Rest and Elevation:**
After your surgery, it's essential to keep your foot elevated as much as possible, especially during the first few days. Elevation helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. When resting, keep your foot above the level of your heart. A few pillows under your foot can be very helpful.
**2. Pain Management:**
Pain and discomfort are common after surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications. Take them as directed to manage your pain effectively. As you recover, you can gradually reduce the use of these medications under your doctor's guidance.
**3. Dressings and Splint:**
Your surgical site will be dressed with sterile bandages and a splint to protect and support your foot. It's crucial to keep these dressings dry and intact. Follow your doctor's instructions for when and how to change them.
**4. Non-Weight Bearing:**
In the initial weeks following the Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction, you'll need to avoid putting weight on the operated foot. Crutches or a knee scooter can help you move around while keeping your weight off the surgical site.
**5. Gentle Exercises:**
Your surgeon may recommend some gentle range-of-motion exercises to maintain flexibility in your toes and prevent stiffness. Follow these exercises as instructed, but avoid any strenuous or weight-bearing activities.
**6. Follow-Up Appointments:**
Your surgeon will schedule several follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. It's crucial to attend all these appointments to ensure that your foot is healing as expected. Your surgeon will remove sutures and check for any signs of complications.
**7. Gradual Weight-Bearing:**
Once your surgeon gives you the green light, you can begin to gradually put weight on your foot. This will be done in stages and typically involves transitioning from crutches to a walking boot.
**8. Rehabilitation:**
In some cases, physical therapy may be recommended to help you regain strength and range of motion in your foot. These exercises are tailored to your specific needs and recovery progress.
**9. Patience and Time:**
Remember, healing takes time. The complete recovery process can vary from person to person, but be patient and allow your body to heal at its own pace. Your surgeon will guide you throughout this journey.
**10. Footwear:**
Once your surgeon gives the green light, you'll be able to transition into more supportive and comfortable shoes. Ensure that your footwear provides good arch support and fits properly to prevent future foot problems.
Recovery from a Lapiplasty Bunionectomy is a step-by-step process. The key to a successful recovery is to follow your podiatrist's instructions closely and be patient. In time, you'll be back on your feet, enjoying the freedom from bunion pain and discomfort. Your future is looking bright, and this post-op care will help you get there. Stay positive and stay committed to your recovery journey!
Author
Dr. David Kaplansky Podiatrist
FAQs
After your surgery, it's essential to keep your foot elevated as much as possible, especially during the first few days. Elevation helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. When resting, keep your foot above the level of your heart. A few pillows under your foot can be very helpful.
How long will my foot hurt after lapiplasty? ›
Following a Lapiplasty bunion surgery, which involves removing a bone lump and straightening the big toe joint, expect initial pain and swelling. Over six weeks, these symptoms will diminish, but minor discomfort may persist for up to a year.
How do I start walking after Lapiplasty? ›
Most patients typically begin walking again - with the assistance of a surgical boot 3+ days after your surgery. Most patients return to walking shoes between 6-7 weeks after the surgery, low impact activity around 3 to 3 1/2 months, and back to all activity and exercise around 4 months.
How long are you on crutches after lapiplasty? ›
By four weeks after surgery use of crutches is usually discontinued completely, as an assistant to weightbearing. If you need to drive and your surgery was to the right foot, a post-operative flat soled shoe may be provided. Note, this is only to be used for driving, and for short distances only.
What are the downsides of Lapiplasty? ›
Cons of Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery
These include potential complications like arthritis and avascular necrosis, and nerve damage which may cause limited or uncomfortable sensations in the feet. Some patients may still experience ongoing pain and swelling despite the surgery.
What is the aftercare for Lapiplasty? ›
After your surgery, it's essential to keep your foot elevated as much as possible, especially during the first few days. Elevation helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. When resting, keep your foot above the level of your heart. A few pillows under your foot can be very helpful.
Can you bend your big toe after Lapiplasty? ›
Will I Be Able to Bend My Big Toe after Lapiplasty? Yes, you will still have normal movement of your big toe after this surgery at Bone & Joint Specialists. The fusion in this procedure takes place at the metatarsophalangeal joint. This is deemed to be more of a “non-essential” joint.
How to use the toilet after bunion surgery? ›
Elevate your foot (above the level of your heart) as much as possible to reduce swelling. Move around only when you need to, for example to wash or use the toilet. Don't put weight on the operated leg.
Do you sleep with boot after Lapiplasty? ›
We don't require the patients to sleep in the boot or wear it 24 hours a day. This allows for patients to perform range of motion exercises at their big toe and ankle joints, and it also allows them to tend to their incisions and perform icing of the area.
Is it OK to wiggle your toes after bunion surgery? ›
Operation to two weeks
You should wear the postoperative shoe, day and night. You can wiggle the toes, but the aim of this fortnight is to rest and get the skin wounds soundly healed. If you are sitting raise the foot on a chair, or by sitting across a sofa – this will reduce the swelling.
Since bunions are a 3-dimensional deformity a procedure that corrects all 3 dimensions is required. Osteotomies only correct 2 of the 3 dimensions. Lapiplasty surgery failures are reduced to only 3-5% according to current studies. Lapiplasty recovery time is also shorter!
What is the downtime for Lapiplasty? ›
A typical recovery timeline for the Lapiplasty® Procedure is as follows: At 2 weeks begin to put some weight on your foot. Next 4-6 weeks walk in a boot and return to light activities. At 6-8 weeks transition back into comfortable shoes.
Is the bone cut in Lapiplasty? ›
How Does Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction Work? Unlike tradition bunion surgery where the bone is cut in half and shifted over, the Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction procedure uses instruments that have been specifically designed to rotate the bone back to its normal position.
Is Lapiplasty better than bunionectomy? ›
Lapiplasty offers a promising surgical treatment option. It involves a less invasive procedure, fewer complications, and a quicker recovery than traditional bunion surgery. It also addresses bunions at their root cause.
Is there physical therapy after Lapiplasty? ›
The days and weeks after surgery
Most surgeons may recommend physical therapy (such as gentle stretching, resistance exercises, and mobility drills) to help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the operated foot.
Will insurance pay for Lapiplasty? ›
Is the Lapiplasty® Procedure covered by insurance? Good news! Insurance and Medicare typically cover bunionectomy and joint fusion procedures that utilize the Lapiplasty® System when the procedures are medically necessary.
How do I stop my feet from hurting after bunion surgery? ›
Ice and elevation
- Put ice or a cold pack on your foot for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). ...
- Prop up your foot and leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart.
Returning to running, contact sports and racquet sports is possible after four to six months from bunion surgery. You may find that your foot still swells or feels uncomfortable from time to time, but this will settle.
How long does it take for your foot to stop hurting after surgery? ›
However, the length of time it takes for you to get back on your feet after depends on the complexity of your surgery, your overall health, and your compliance with our at-home care instructions. In general, it takes a minimum of three months — and maybe even up to six months — for the pain to go away.
How long does it take to walk normally after bunion surgery? ›
1 to 6 weeks: Begin weight bearing in a tall boot to tolerance. The amount of time and activity level should increase each week as you begin physical therapy. 6 to 10 weeks: You can usually return to a quality running shoe and increasing walking activities.
