Society of Certified Senior Advisors: A New Option for Bunions

3D Bunion Correction surgery may or may not have advantages over traditional procedures.

About a quarter of people on the planet have bunions, and in the U.S. it’s more like a third. Each year, 350,000 people in the U.S. opt for a bunionectomy, and many are choosing a new surgery: Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™. Lapiplasty bills itself as a less-invasive procedure that will get you back on your feet faster. Let’s take a look at the evidence to help you decide which bunion treatment options could be right for you.

Bunions 101

A bunion forms when the joint of the big toe protrudes from the side of the foot and starts to push against the other toes. Bunions run in families, and having flat feet may predispose you. Wearing tight-fitting shoes and high heels over many years can increase the likelihood of developing bunions. They’re also common among teachers, nurses, and others who spend a good amount of their working life on their feet. Because of these factors, older people and women are more likely to look down and see one or two bunions developing.

Some people experience pain at the toe joint that makes walking, chores, and exercise uncomfortable. Other, luckier, people have bunions for many years without any pain.

When bunion pain starts to interfere with daily activities, it may be time to consider surgery. Over time, bunions can lead to osteoarthritis, swollen nerves, and dislocation of the toe. What you don’t want is for bunion pain to keep you sedentary, since exercise is important for physical and mental health.

Correcting Bunions: Traditional vs. 3D Surgery

In traditional bunion surgery, surgeons cut down or reposition the protruding bone. In the most common type of surgery, osteotomy, screws or pins are used to realign the big toe joint.

A new surgery, referred to as lapiplasty or 3D Bunion Correction, debuted in 2016. By 2022, it was one of the most commonly-performed bunionectomy surgeries. In contrast to an osteotomy, lapiplasty involves realigning the entire toe joint and attaching titanium plates to the metatarsal bone further up the foot, allowing the whole foot to move as before. The company that developed lapiplasty says that performing a “tri-plane correction” at the joint of the metatarsal bone addresses the root cause of the bunion.

Both traditional bunion surgery and lapiplasty are highly effective. Across all types of bunion surgery, almost 90% of patients report satisfaction, and only 5% report that the bunion comes back after surgery, according to an article in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. We didn’t find any independent evidence that patients report overall higher satisfaction with lapiplasty as compared to other bunion surgeries.

For most people, both traditional osteotomy and lapiplasty are minimally-invasive outpatient procedures. One advantage of lapiplasty for some may be a faster recovery time. The company behind 3D Bunion Correction surgery says you’ll be back on your foot in a boot within 3 to 10 days. You can expect to wear comfortable shoes within 6 to 10 weeks, and resume normal activities at 4 to 6 months. One lapiplasty recipient reported running a 10k race 5 months after surgery.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the recovery time after an osteotomy is similar: most people are starting to walk normally again within 6 to 12 weeks. For any bunion surgery, some patients might be referred to physical therapy to help them regain strength and a full range of movement in the foot. Swelling could last 6 to 9 months after surgery.

Depending on your insurance, one big disadvantage of 3D Bunion Correction could be the cost. Lapiplasty can run you between $3,500 and upwards of $12,000, in part because there aren’t as many surgeons trained in the procedure. Based on your geographic area, an osteotomy may cost $1,600 to $3,880 or more. Bunion surgeries that are deemed medically necessary, rather than cosmetic, are more likely to be covered by insurance.

Complications can occur with all bunion surgeries. Infection is always a risk, as is nerve damage and the death of bone tissue due to decreased blood supply. Rarely, the implants can crack or loosen, requiring repeat surgery.

If You Don’t Need Surgery

Some people will need a surgical solution to their bunion problems, and they’ll want to consult with their podiatrist to decide which surgery is appropriate for their specific condition. For those experiencing mild discomfort from bunions, remember: there are non-surgical options for relief. Here are a few.

Elevate your feet when resting.
Soak your feet in cool water.
Stretch your feet to increase their flexibility and strength. Physical therapy can help.
Wear wider, more accommodating shoes.
Use orthotic shoe pads for comfort.
Ask your doctor about anti-inflammatory medication.

The takeaway? If you need bunion surgery, lapiplasty may be the best choice for you, but other, more traditional, “2D” surgeries remain a reliable option.