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We know you always want to put your best foot forward, but that can be hard when foot or ankle problems limit your movement and cause pain with every step. Taking your feet for granted is easy until you experience a condition like a bunion that slows you down.
At AdventHealth, our foot and ankle specialists are here to help you get back on your feet so you can move past your pain. Our expert,Matthew Villani, DPM, FACFAS, is one of few Florida providers offering the leading-edge Lapiplasty bunion procedure.
Keep reading to hear from Dr. Villani all about Lapiplasty and if it’s right for you.
What Are Bunions?
Bunions are one of the most common foot conditions. According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s estimated that one in five American adults has them.
“Bunions occur when you have an unstable joint of your foot, which causes malalignment and a bony growth to form at the base of the big toe joint,” says Dr. Villani.
Bunions have several causes, including genetics, abnormal bone structure, increased motion and arthritis. Common symptoms of bunions include:
Speak with your doctor to get the right care if you're experiencing any of these symptoms. Additionally, there are ways to prevent and treat bunions on your own. Some of those techniques include monitoring your feet for symptoms and wearing the right kind of shoes. Certain shoes, like narrow or pointed ones, can increase your risk of developing a bunion by placing unnecessary pressure on your big toe joint.
We're here for you if these methods or other treatments haven't helped you find lasting relief. Our providers, like Dr. Villani, can work with you to understand your pain and determine if the Lapiplasty procedure is right for you.
What Is Lapiplasty and How Does It Work?
“Lapiplasty is a surgical procedure that we use to correct the malalignment of the bunion deformity and fix the root cause — an unstable joint in the middle of the foot,” says Dr. Villani.
The procedure uses advanced instrumentation to return the bone to normal 3D alignment. "Next, to remove the unstable joint, we use a surgical precision tool called the Lapiplasty precision guide and align it with the damaged joint, ensuring the unstable surfaces are removed with minimal bone,” he says.
The damaged bone is removed, and then a compressor is used to bring the two surfaces of bone together in its proper alignment. Two titanium plates with accompanying screws are placed to stabilize the joint, finalizing the procedure.
Dr. Villani continues, “For the first two weeks, it’s important not to put any weight on the foot. For the next four to six weeks, you’ll be placed in a boot and be able to return to light activities. You can transition back to comfortable shoes between six and eight weeks. Patients typically return to most activities and normal footwear between four and six months after the operation.”
Who Can Have the Lapiplasty Procedure?
“Patients who have painful bunion deformities that have been unresponsive to conservative treatments are good candidates for this procedure,” says Dr. Villani. It’s recommended that you don’t undergo this surgery if you have no pain associated with your bunion. Other treatment methods may be more effective for bunions that aren't causing pain.
What Are the Risks and Benefits of Lapiplasty?
As with any surgery, Lapiplasty has certain risks, including infection and loosening of the implant. Discussing these factors and your medical history with your doctor is important to determine if it’s the right procedure for you.
“The major benefit of this surgery is that it improves the long-term success rate and decreases the likelihood of a bunion returning,” says Dr. Villani. Other benefits include a faster recovery time than traditional methods, a less invasive procedure and fewer complications overall.
Approach Lapiplasty With Confidence
Dr. Villani explains, “This procedure is not widely known because some physicians may not try newer techniques if their current methods work. But this leading-edge, minimally invasive procedure has proven more reliable, with higher success rates and happier patients, than joint fusion surgery.”
Lapiplasty goes beyond treating the symptoms — it cures the root cause of your pain. “I want my patients to know that I’ve attended extensive labs to learn and perfect this technique and conducted many procedures myself. I know any surgery can feel overwhelming, but they’re safe with me and my care team on their side,” shares Dr. Villani.
Solid Support to Get Back on Your Feet
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for you in body, mind and spirit. We’re here to provide expert care to treat your bunions and find lasting relief. You deserve to walk confidently and put your best foot forward, pain-free.
Take the first step towards comfort by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Villani. You deserve to feel whole.
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