What is Post-op Care After Lapiplasty® Bunion Surgery — Dr. Paul Steinke - Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction (2024)

FAQs

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.

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. At 4-6 months resume most activities and return to normal footwear.

Most patients are able to start walking, in a boot, on day 3 after surgery. The boot is worn for at least 6 weeks.

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.

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.

Staying Comfortable

Some patients experience swelling and inflammation after surgery, which can make it hard to drift off to sleep. By elevating your foot with a propped-up pillow or a bed that can do so for you, you'll notice reduced swelling and discomfort while you sleep.

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.

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.

Most patients report 3 or 4/10 on the pain scale after surgery if they reduce activity, ice their foot, elevate and take pain medictions. This varies by patient and if you have a history of a lot of pain after other surgeries, specialized pain blocks can be performed to keep foot numb for 3-4 days after surgery.

In general, it takes about six weeks after bunion surgery for the bone to fully mend. But that doesn't mean you'll be laid up in bed for a month and a half. With a bunionectomy procedure like Bunionplasty®, created by Dr. Blitz, patients can walk the same day as their surgery.

Is the bone cut in Lapiplasty? ›

Unlike an osteotomy, lapiplasty does not involve cutting or shaving the bones. Instead, it uses advanced instruments to push the entire metatarsal bone back into place.

You may sleep without your boot once you are 4 weeks from surgery. after surgery you will be allowed to bear weight on your foot as tolerated in your boot. This may change based on skin healing or other added procedures.

Your doctor will remove your stitches or sutures about 2 weeks after the surgery.

When your surgeon allows you to begin putting weight on your foot, your physical therapist will help you regain a normal walking pattern, or gait. It is not uncommon to limp after a bunion surgery or to develop a tendency to roll your foot outward in an effort to avoid rolling off the affected big toe.

Bunion surgery usually hurts for the first 48 hours after surgery then calms down. The worst time is 24-48 hours after surgery when the local anesthesia that was used to numb up your foot completely wears off. Ice and elevation almost constantly are the best way to manage your pain!

You will have pain and swelling that slowly improves in the 6 weeks after surgery. You may have some minor pain and swelling that lasts as long as 6 months to a year. You won't be able to put weight on your foot at first.