Lapidus Procedure – Modern Bunion Surgery Explained

Lapidus Procedure – Modern Bunion Surgery Explained After working through conservative bunion treatment—padding, proper footwear, anti inflammatory medications—but your bunion continues growing and causing pain. Your big toe drifts inward, forcing you to wear wider shoes or skip exercise entirely. If conservative care has failed and your bunion is affecting your quality of life, the Lapidus procedure might be your solution. This modern surgical technique corrects bunions at their source, offering superior results compared to older procedures. At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute, Dr. Robert Hoover performs Lapidus procedures that address your bunion permanently. Understanding Bunions and Why They Form A bunion—or hallux valgus in medical terminology—is not just a bump. It's a structural problem where your big toe joint (first metatarsophalangeal joint) becomes misaligned. The joint angles inward, your big toe leans toward your second toe, and a bony bump forms on the inner side of your foot. Bunions develop due to: Genetics —family history is the strongest predictor of bunion development Foot biomechanics —natural alignment patterns that stress the joint Ligament laxity —loose ligaments that fail to stabilize the joint Inflammatory arthritis —conditions like rheumatoid arthritis accelerate bunion formation While not all bunions cause pain, progressive ones lead to joint degeneration, difficulty with activities, and foot deformities that worsen over time. Traditional Bunion Surgery vs. The Lapidus Procedure Historically, bunion surgery focused on shaving the bump and realigning the toe. While these procedures worked, they had limitations: High recurrence rates —20 30% of bunions returned after traditional surgery Persistent pain —some patients experienced ongoing joint pain Limited long term function —joints continued to degenerate after traditional correction Need for future surgery —some patients required repeat procedures The Lapidus procedure (first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis) takes a fundamentally different approach: instead of just correcting the angle of the bones, it fuses the joint where the primary misalignment originates—the joint between your first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform bone. The Lapidus Advantage Superior Structural Correction By addressing the root cause—excessive mobility at the first tarsometatarsal joint—the Lapidus procedure provides stable, long lasting correction. Lower Recurrence Rates Studies show recurrence rates of only 5 10% after Lapidus procedures, compared to 20 30% with traditional approaches. Your bunion correction is more likely to last permanently. Excellent Pain Relief Patients experience significant pain reduction and improved function compared to traditional bunion surgery. Better Long Term Outcomes By stabilizing the joint, the Lapidus procedure slows or prevents arthritis development at the corrected joint. Ideal for Moderate to Severe Bunions The Lapidus procedure excels for: Bunions with significant deformity Bunions involving joint arthritis Recurrent bunions (bunions that returned after prior surgery) Bunions in younger, active patients wanting optimal long term function The Lapidus Procedure: What to Expect At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute in Downtown Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, and Sanford, Dr. Robert Hoover guides you through every step: Pre Operative Evaluation Detailed imaging (X rays, sometimes CT scans) assesses your bunion severity and identifies the optimal surgical approach. The Surgery Under general anesthesia, Dr. Hoover: 1. Fuses the first tarsometatarsal joint —removing cartilage and securing the joint with plates and screws 2. Corrects the bunion deformity —repositioning the metatarsal bone into proper alignment 3. Maintains joint function —preserving motion in the big toe joint itself 4. Stabilizes the correction —using modern fixation techniques ensuring lasting alignment The procedure typically takes 45 60 minutes and is performed as an outpatient surgery. Recovery: What to Expect Recovery from Lapidus procedures requires patience and commitment: Weeks 1 2 Non weight bearing —using crutches to protect the surgical site Elevation and ice —managing swelling and pain Pain management —controlled with prescribed medications as needed Weeks 3 6 Transition to walking boot —gradual weight bearing as tolerated Swelling management —compression and elevation remain important Limited activity —avoiding high impact movements Weeks 6 12 Gradual return to normal shoes —wearing proper, supportive footwear Physical therapy —strengthening foot and ankle muscles Increasing activity —gradually building tolerance for walking and activity 3 6 Months Full recovery —most patients resume normal activities Continued improvement —swelling gradually resolves Return to sports or exercise —following your surgeon's clearance Complete bone fusion typically requires 8 12 weeks, and full functional recovery often takes 3 6 months. Mee