Juggling five grandchildren and five additional great-grandchildren does not leave 68-year old Scarborough, Maine resident Patricia with a lot of downtime. “We are a close family and are constantly on the move,” she said. “But bunion pain experienced in both my feet certainly slowed me down. And, it was frustrating to not be able to keep up as much as I would have liked.” Patricia tried wearing more comfortable shoes, orthotic inserts, and (in some cases) a protective boot just so that she could keep up with the demands of her large and still growing family. Even so, she regularly struggled to rise from a seated position and could no longer enjoy family outings around town without suffering. Unable to stand to see her in such pain, Patricia’s loved ones eventually convinced her to talk to a doctor about her surgical options.
While Patricia suffered with bunion pain in both feet, her left foot was more bothersome. She met with specialist Dr. Barry White with Portland Foot and Ankle and decided to undergo a traditional bunion surgery only on that foot. “I remember the recovery took about three months and it was very difficult to get around using a scooter,” said Patricia. “The worst part was, as soon as I started feeling better with the left foot, my right foot started bothering me even more!” Although she did not want to go through another painful surgery and lengthy recovery, Patricia knew something needed to be done.
Dr. White understood Patricia’s concerns regarding a lengthy recovery and explained that he had recently learned of a new treatment option that might give her a better experience. Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ was a procedure he now used to address the true root cause of bunions, but more importantly, it was designed to provide a faster recovery timeline than the previous surgical technique. In addition to a faster recovery, the Lapiplasty® Procedure also offers a three-dimensional approach to bunion correction by rotating the misaligned bone back into proper alignment, unlike older-generation 2D surgical treatments that merely shave down protruding bone. “I was sold as soon as he said that this procedure may allow me to get back on my feet faster,” Patricia said. “It had been frustrating previously to be forced to sit and watch my grandkids and not be able to interact with them. I hoped this option would give me a faster recovery timeline than my previous surgery.”
Patricia had the Lapiplasty® Procedure on her right foot in October 2018 and was walking in a boot less than two weeks later. This was a far different experience from her first surgery, where she had been confined to a cast for several months. “I was very happy that the recovery time seemed shorter. I tried to take it easy the first few weeks and after using the boot was able to transition to just a brace.” In addition to a shorter recovery, Patricia says she was able to stop taking prescription pain medication three days after surgery and managed her discomfort with a simple dose of Advil® each night.
Before surgery, Patricia says she was getting through life with gritted teeth— working through the pain instead of truly addressing it. Now, with summer coming, she looks forward to keeping up with her entire family and once again enjoying long walks along the coastal Maine beaches.
Only a surgeon can tell if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ is right for you. As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary and this experience is unique and specific to this patient only. There are potential risks with surgery and recovery takes time. Potential risks include, but are not limited to: infection, discomfort from the presence of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction with nonunion or malunion.
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*The “Am I a Candidate” assessment should only be completed by patients over the age of 18 or by a parent/legal guardian. This tool does not provide medical advice. This tool is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a trained Lapiplasty® doctor can determine if you are an appropriate candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® surgery. Please consult with your doctor to determine if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® surgery is right for your specific condition. Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® surgery is indicated for patients 12 years of age and older. As with any medical treatment, there are risks and recovery takes time. For a complete list of risks, see the Patient Risk Information. For more info on recovery times, see Recovery. For information about how we handle your information, please see our Privacy Policy. By submitting your information and clicking I agree, you consent to receive information about the Lapiplasty® Procedure by email, text, phone, or via online advertising and to our use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy. We will handle your information and communicate with you as stated in our Privacy Policy. See the Privacy Policy for instructions for opting out of receiving automated text messages and phone calls containing marketing materials regarding the Lapiplasty® Procedure.
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This tool is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a trained Lapiplasty® doctor can determine if you are an appropriate candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® surgery.
This tool is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a trained Lapiplasty® doctor can determine if you are an appropriate candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® surgery.
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Bunion Pain Can Worsen Without Treatment1
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Unfortunately, you are not a candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®.
Based on your responses, you are not a candidate for Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®. Lapiplasty® is indicated for treatment of bunions (also known as Hallux Valgus) - a bump found at the base of the big toe. If you do not suffer from a bunion, then Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® is not for you. We wish you good health!
Still think you might be experiencing pain from a bunion?
Here are 5 symptoms to look out for that could make Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® a good option for you:
- You're seeing a visual "bump" at the base of your big toe.
- Shoes that once fit comfortably now feel too tight or painful to wear.
- You experience frequent numbness or tightness in your big toe.
- Pain or swelling increases when you stand for long periods of time.
- You struggle or are unable to bend your big toe without feeling pain or a burning sensation.
Here are some helpful resources to help you learn more about bunions and your treatment options:
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