Lapiplasty bunion surgery usually involves a cut above or to the side of the big toe joint and removal or rearrangement of the soft tissue and bone.
The bunion is a foot abnormality that affects the big toe due to an inward deviation of a bone called the “first metatarsal.” A bunion (Hallux valgus) is an enlargement of the bone or tissue surrounding a joint at the base of the big or little toe (in which case it is known as a “tailor’s bunion”).
With each step, Bunions can be very painful; the entire weight of your body rests on that bunion.
The bunion surgery duration is approximately 30 to 90 minutes, liable on the type of surgery, with different variables affecting the duration. It is performed using various techniques.
For bunion surgery, anesthetic regional affects only the foot. You can also use a sedative during the procedure. Bunion repairs are completed on an outpatient basis.
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Diagnosis
Foot deformities such as bunions are diagnosed primarily by examining and observing the foot.
It expects that with the bunion or hallux valgus deformity, the other fingers have problems and deformities, such as a claw or hammer toe.
A weight-bearing X-ray allows a good assessment of the deformity of the foot, where the angles of the metatarsals can appreciate.
Different Types of Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery
Bunion Surgery types depend on the unkindness of the patient’s age, general health, level of physical activity, and the condition of the bones and connective tissue. Other factors may also influence the choice of the procedure to use:
Severe bunion: In severe bunions, surgery may consist of cutting and realigning the bone, removing the enlarged part of the bone, and correcting the position of the muscles and ligaments.
Moderate bunion: In moderate bunions, the surgeon can cut the bone and return it to its correct position. The decision to cut the bone depends on the deformity’s harshness and location. Also, the close tendons and ligaments may need to reposition.
Bunion or big toe joint with arthritis: If the joint has sustained irreparable damage, as commonly happens with arthritis, it may need to be reconstructed or replaced with an artificial joint. Joint replacement implants can use to reconstruct the big toe joint.
How is the Bunion Operation?
Currently, there are more than 100 surgical techniques for the correction of Hallux valgus. Under local anesthesia, the entire procedure will perform.
Preoperative
Before the intervention, the patient will have an appointment with the doctor where he will perform a foot examination, all the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the actual health status of the foot, as well as an interview to collect data during the anamnesis.
Type of anesthesia
- Local anesthesia
Operation duration
- 30-40 minutes
Postoperative – Recovery time after bunion surgery
Depending on each patient’s foot, the traumatologist will indicate the approximate time to use your shoes after surgery.
Traditional or open bunion surgery – Osteotomy
In traditional or “open” surgical treatments, 1 or 2 surgical incisions are made with an approximate length of 10 cm to make cuts in the metatarsal bone and thus be able to reposition it in its place. Osteotomies (bone cuts) fix using special compression screws.
Bunion surgery with osteotomy
Outpatient procedure (without hospitalization)
Percutaneous foot surgery for Hallux valgus with osteotomy
Percutaneous or minimally invasive techniques are performed through 3 or 4 small holes of about 2 mm, through which the surgeon will use motorized instruments to proceed in the same way as in the open bunion operation. This operation is performed under local anesthesia and as an outpatient procedure. The patient will walk immediately after surgery in an orthopedic shoe for 4 to 6 weeks.
In this technique, as a treatment for Hallux valgus, there is also a bone break that must recover, although it will be less painful and slow as there are no open wounds. The patient must wear an orthopedic shoe until complete recovery.
Risks of the Procedure
As complications can arise with any surgical procedure. Some possible difficulties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Rigidity
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Infection
- Delayed healing
Therefore, Other complications can include bunion recurrence, nerve damage, and persistent pain. Surgery can also lead to overcorrection of the problem, separating the big toe from the others.
Depending on your specific state of health, other risks may exist. Be sure to discuss all questions with your doctor before the procedure.
What repairs during surgery?
Total recovery time after bunion surgery ranges from six weeks to eight months.
The recovery time depends on the amount of bone and soft tissue affected during the intervention.
The more extended the surgery delay, the longer the chances are that bunion recovery will take longer.
First of all, it is interesting to clarify that the bunion operation is called Hallux Valgus operation since the bunion itself is the bulge that occurs on the deformation of the second metatarsal of the foot, inflamed and causing pain. Instead, the deformation of the bone is called Hallux Valgus, and it is repairs during the intervention.
