Hope for New Hampshire Bunion Patients

As a foot and ankle specialist in New Hampshire, I treat patients from all walks of life and with dozens of medical conditions. Many of my patients enjoy spending their leisure time being active by hiking, skiing, and biking. Unfortunately, many of them find themselves cutting back or completely stopping these activities due to foot pain caused by bunions. The condition can be extremely frustrating, but I am excited to offer a surgical option that addresses its root cause and gets patients back on their feet in a walking boot relatively quickly.

Many of my patients arrive at my office believing that a bunion is a simple callous or overgrowth of bone on the side of the big toe, however, the condition is much more complex. Bunions are a complex bone deformity caused by unstable bones in the top of the foot. As they slide out of place, the big toe drifts out of alignment. While many believe that bunions are caused by wearing high heels, the deformity typically runs in families and anyone can develop them, regardless of footwear. In fact, almost 25% of the United States population lives with them. Bunions get progressively worse over time and often cause patients pain and discomfort as they age.

Many physicians, including myself, initially offer patients nonsurgical options to address their bunion pain. These included shoe inserts, splints and pads. However, the only way to correct the condition is with surgery. In the past, patients often delayed undergoing traditional 2D osteotomy procedures, commonly known as “Shave It Off” surgeries. The procedure’s reputation for having a recurrence rate of up to 70%, even after many patients remain off their feet for six to eight weeks during recovery, frequently led patients to continue living with their bunion pain rather than go through with the potentially difficult procedure.

In 2016, Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ was cleared by the FDA, offering patients a surgical treatment option that uses a different approach. Lapiplasty® involves using a system of patented titanium plates to secure the misaligned bones in the foot in their proper positions. This procedure addresses all three dimensions of the bunion deformity, along with the cosmetic bump on the side of the big toe. The procedure allows many patients to bear weight on their feet while wearing a walking boot within days after surgery. I clear most of my patients for full activities, including exercise, within about four months of surgery. Lapiplasty® has demonstrated a recurrence rate of only 1-3% in 13- and 17-month studies, respectively.

I am excited to be part of the growing number of surgeons across the country now performing this procedure on patients from all walks of life. It has been rewarding to see them return to the lifestyles they enjoy. I encourage anyone in the Derry area who is suffering from this bothersome condition to make an appointment with me to see if you are a candidate for a procedure that can help you get back to the activities you love.

For more information about the Lapiplasty® Procedure visit Lapiplasty.com. To schedule an appointment with me, call 603-432-2508 or visit www.FootAndAnklesNH.com.

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, pain, discomfort from the presence of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction with nonunion or malunion.