Lapiplasty® vs Bunionectomy: What Are The Main Differences?

After years of throbbing pain caused by your bunion, it’s finally time to do something about it. As you research different bunion treatments, you dive deep into the Lapiplasty® vs. bunionectomy debate.

While there are many bunion treatment options out there, having bunion removal or correction surgery is the most effective in curing your pain and erasing the unsightly bump.

How you remove or correct your bunion is not a decision that is to be taken lightly, especially if you have heard horror stories about traditional bunion surgery.

Fortunately, in the Lapiplasty® vs. bunionectomy debate, they are both effective and use advanced medical techniques that result in less pain than a traditional bunion removal.

By the end of this article, you will have the information to decide which surgery is right for you.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bony growth on the side of the big toe joint on the side of the foot. This can interfere with what shoes you wear, how you walk, and even cause knee and hip pain over time.

Bunions can be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes for years and even genetics if they run in your family.

Luckily, it’s never been easier to remove bunions with little to no downtime.

Lapiplasty® vs Bunionectomy: The Major Differences

You’ve decided that a traditional bunion surgery isn’t the right choice for you. You prefer a procedure that will have minimal recovery time, a hardly noticeable scar, and long-lasting results.

Lapiplasty® and bunionectomy offer all of these benefits, but there are differences between the two surgeries.

The Overall Procedure and Cure

Lapiplasty® – A Lapiplasty® is a bunion correction surgery rather than a removal. This procedure inserts a titanium plate in the foot to correct the posture of the bones, resulting in the bunion to disappear. This surgery corrects the root of the problem that causes your painful bunion.

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy – A bunionectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that removes the bunion by shaving down or cutting the bone that is protruding to create the bump.

Recovery Time

The recovery time when comparing Lapiplasty® vs bunionectomy is slightly different for each.

Lapiplasty® – The total recovery time is about 6 to 8 weeks. About a week after surgery, you can walk in a protective surgical boot while recovering.

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy – You’ll be able to walk right out of the office and drive yourself home. With very minimal recovery time, you can get back to your old habits in just a few days.

Anesthesia

There are different types of anesthetics used so that patients do not feel their bunion surgeries.

Lapiplasty® – The Lapiplasty® procedure uses general anesthetia, putting patients to sleep while the doctors work to correct their bunions. This requires the patient to have a friend or family member to drive them home.

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy – With a minimally invasive bunionectomy, doctors will use a local anesthetic just on the foot, allowing the patient to stay awake for the 45-minute procedure and not feel a thing, all while being able to drive themselves home.

Incision

When comparing Lapiplasty® vs bunionectomy, many patients are concerned about the size of the incision and the scar that it leaves behind. After being self-conscious about their bunions, the last thing they want to worry about is an unsightly scar.

Lapiplasty® – The average size of the incision for a Lapiplasty® is about 1.5 inches.

Minimally Invasive Bunionectomy – The average size of the incision for a minimally invasive bunionectomy is about ⅛ inches.

Which Bunion Surgery is Right for You?

After reviewing Lapiplasty® vs bunionectomy, you probably have a better idea of which bunion surgery is right for you.

If your goal is to fix the root of the problem and have some hardware in your foot while sacrificing two months to recover, then the Lapiplasty® may be right for you.

If you are searching for fast relief with minimal pain and a quick recovery time, then a minimally invasive bunionectomy may be the right for you.

Before making your decision speak with the medical professionals at The Bunion Cure in Littleton, Colorado. After examining your bunion and explaining our minimally invasive bunionectomy, you’ll have the confidence to make the right decision for your removal procedure.

Request your free consultation with The Bunion Cure today!