Changes in the framework of your foot bones cause many problems, including bunions. Typically, the first sign of a bunion is a painful bump next to the big toe, even though it's more complex than just that.
Left untreated, bunions worsen, causing pain and trouble wearing shoes or walking. Conservative treatments may help slow down the progression of a bunion, but they never truly fix the problem.
Traditionally, bunion surgery required a long recovery and painful procedures to cut off the bony bump on the side of the toe. However, with new technological advances, minimally invasive procedures are now available.
Dr. Marque A. Allen offers state-of-the-art Lapiplasty® for painful bunions at the Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio. Dr. Allen is a board-certified podiatrist who provides Lapiplasty as an excellent option for bunion treatment.
Bunions are a problem with the feet where the bone structure changes over time, resulting in a bump on the outer aspect of the big toe.
Genetics often play a role in bunions, especially when you're born with a faulty bone structure in your feet. Over time, that structure causes the big toe to lean towards the second toe slowly.
As the bunion progresses, the big toe bones push further inward, resulting in a red and sometimes painful bump on the side of the foot.
Unfortunately, bunions are a progressive problem, worsening over time without treatment. Even with treatment, you may have pain and discomfort from the bump next to your toe.
Not everyone who has a bunion experiences symptoms like pain or discomfort. Some people have bunions for long periods without any issues at all.
However, many people with bunions suffer from intense pain and difficulty walking or wearing shoes.
You may also suffer from inflammation around the bump or swelling that prohibits you from wearing shoes properly. In severe cases, you may have numbness around the toe or a burning sensation at the site of the bunion.
When you notice any signs of a bunion, seeking professional treatment is a good idea. The sooner you get treatment, the slower the bunion progresses, leading to fewer complications.
Lapiplasty is one of the newest surgical procedures to correct a bunion deformity. It's a cutting-edge option Dr. Allen provides to every patient needing a bunionectomy.
One of the significant advantages of the Lapiplasty procedure is that it's minimally invasive and corrects the bunion at its origin instead of simply addressing the bump on the big toe.
Dr. Allen uses the system's patented 3D technology to fix the bunion at the source, allowing him to fix the unstable joint causing the deformity.
The procedure takes about an hour and a half, and Dr. Allen performs it outpatient. You can go home the same day as surgery and be up and walking in a boot in about two weeks.
The Lapiplasty procedure is a minimally invasive option for bunion correction that provides unrivaled results for many patients with bunion deformities, fixing the problem at the source.
Bunions can make simple daily activities seem impossible from the pain in your foot. Conservative measures can help some people, but not everyone gets significant relief from these therapies.
If you're suffering from bunion pain affecting day-to-day activities, you may want to consider Lapiplasty for permanent relief.
Another reason to consider Lapiplasty surgery is when conservative measures haven't successfully relieved pain in the bunion. You can also have Lapiplasty for mild, moderate, or severe bunion deformities.
Lapiplasty is also an excellent option for patients who have had traditional bunion surgery, but the bunion has returned. The significant aspect of Lapiplasty is that it corrects the bunion at the unstable joint, providing you with long-term pain relief without it returning.
Ultimately, it's up to you and Dr. Allen to determine the best treatment route for your symptoms.
To learn more about a Lapiplasty for bunion pain, don't hesitate to call one of our conveniently located offices in Greater San Antonio, Texas, or request an appointment on our website.
