Bunions can be very painful. With each step, your entire body weight rests on that bunion. Ouch! A common misconception about a bunion is that it is an overgrowth of bone that can simply be “shaved off”. In reality, bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint.
Relief is here. Now, there’s a new, patented treatment for bunion correction – Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction. Michigan Foot & Ankle is offering this exciting, new treatment option which does more than simply remove “the bump”; it addresses your bunion in three dimensions to correct the root of the problem. Advanced fixation technology is used to secure the correction in place, allowing patients to walk within days of surgery.1
For 87% of people with bunions, traditional surgery has failed to get to the true source of the problem – a 3-dimensional deformity caused by an unstable joint.2 This is why many people who have had traditional surgery have had their bunions return.3 In fact, 1 in 3 patients have been left dissatisfied with their surgical outcome in the past and up to 70% of those treated have had their bunion return.4
of bunions are misaligned in 3 dimensions 2
likelihood of bunion coming back if 3D problem is not addressed 3
patients are dissatisfied with traditional results 4
of bunion patients have their bunions return over time 4
Traditional bunion surgery has been limited to an incomplete, two-dimensional (2D) approach to correction; cutting the bone in half and pushing the top part over to reduce the appearance of the bump. This 2D “cut and shift” approach primarily addresses the bunion’s symptoms, not the root cause – the unstable foundational joint – leaving the bunion significantly more likely to come back to some degree.3
Root of problem is not corrected
Root of problem is not corrected
Instead of cutting the bone in half and shifting the top part over, the patented Lapiplasty® Procedure uses specially-designed instrumentation to rotate the entire deviated bone back into its normal anatomical position, naturally straightening your toe; removing the “bump” and associated pain. Innovative titanium plating technology5,6 permanently secures the unstable foundation, the root of your bunion problem. Most patients are able to walk within days of surgery.1 No cast is required; allowing patients to get back to the shoe wear of their choice and activities quickly.1
"Cut & Shift" approach leaves an unstable joint
Alignment is restored & unstable joint is permanently secured
The Lapiplasty® Procedure utilizes two low-profile (petite), anatomically-shaped titanium plates to permanently secure the unstable foundation of your corrected bunion. This provides buttressing on multiple planes and allows you to walk within days of surgery.1 Think of this in terms of how a basketball player might hold a basketball. When a player tightly grips the ball with both hands, the ball is held more securely than if only one hand is used.
Unlike other surgical approaches, the Lapiplasty® Procedure utilizes two plates for this very reason – “Two plates are better than one”.7
The patented titanium plating technology used with the Lapiplasty® Procedure enables patients to bear weight on their foot early.1 The ability to do so can dramatically improve your recovery process, allowing you to walk up to 6-8 weeks earlier than with the more traditional Lapidus approach (which was previously the only option for addressing the unstable joint).
Being able to walk in a surgical boot, as opposed to being completely non-weight bearing (in a cast with scooter or crutches) for 6-8 weeks, means that you will be getting back to a better quality of life faster; may return to most occupations more quickly; and will be less inconvenienced by bunion surgery.8
Below are quotes from actual Lapiplasty® patients. As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. These results are specific to these individuals only.
GI had a seriously problematic foot that I’ve had work done on in the past by 3 other doctors but these doctors’ collective work didn’t compare to the job that Dr. Josh Faley did for me. He took time to explain in-depth exactly what procedure was necessary and what results to expect. I would DEFINITELY recommend Dr. Faley to anyone that needs foot care. Plus, he’s a cool guy!
Fast Eddie Washington
August 13, 2024, at 2:18 pm
Dr. Faley is wonderful! I had a pretty significant injury and he did everything to make sure I was taken care of and that everything went smoothly. I can't thank him enough for everything he has done for me!
Beth Cochran
August 13, 2024, at 2:18 pm
While they do not advertise as having a specialty in pediatric care you would have thought they do! Dr. Kaczander had the most impressive bedside manner with my 7 year old who had to have a somewhat scary (to her) procedure done. He was patient, kept her at ease, and engaged with her the entire time to keep her calm. A big thank you to the nurse as well who was kind and personable and made the experience so much easier for her. Highly recommend this provider!
Stephanie Cook
August 13, 2024, at 2:18 pm
Below are some questions patients commonly ask and their respective answers:
Patients are typically walking within days of surgery. Patients can return to most occupations within days to a couple of weeks, wearing a surgical boot. Within six weeks, you can expect to be walking in comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes, however you should not plan on any high-impact activities for 3-4 months. Short shopping trips and leisurely strolls are examples of the types of activities that should be fine at this point. Around the 4-month mark post-op, you should be able to return to most activities and most shoe wear.9
The Lapiplasty® Procedure allows most patients to return to their desired shoes. Of course, some fashionable shoes can be painful (even with a normal foot!), so results can vary from person to person and shoe to shoe.
Yes, there are no permanent activity limitations after the Lapiplasty® Procedure. Most patients are able to return to most activities after the bones have completely healed at approximately 4 months.9
Yes, the Lapiplasty® Procedure is an option that can be utilized by your doctor when a revision is required. Even if previously treated, patients can experience the same benefits from Lapiplasty®– with a permanently secured foundational joint this time around.
“Reproducible” means that a procedure is easily repeatable with expected results. The Lapiplasty® Procedure utilizes precision, patented instrumentation designed to take the guesswork and “eyeballing” out of bunion surgery; helping ensure your surgeon can get reliable results over and over.
Yes, Lapiplasty®surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures. Typically, the surgery will last just under an hour. If your doctor is performing any additional procedures at the same time, the surgery may take longer.
