Traditional bunion surgery shaves the bump. Lapiplasty corrects the unstable joint that caused it — in all three dimensions — so your foot is realigned, not just reshaped.
A bunion isn't really a bump — it's a symptom of an unstable joint in the middle of your foot. When that joint loosens, the long bone behind your big toe drifts out of alignment in three dimensions: it leans sideways, rotates, and elevates. The visible bump is the end result.
Traditional 2D bunion procedures cut and shift the bone to reduce the bump, but they don't address the unstable joint underneath. That's a key reason a significant share of bunions treated with bump-shaving procedures recur over time.
The Lapiplasty® procedure corrects all three dimensions of the deformity at its source and stabilizes the joint with low-profile titanium plating — designed to get you back on your feet quickly and keep the correction permanent.
Specialized instrumentation rotates the entire bone back into its normal anatomic position — correcting the sideways lean, rotation, and elevation at once.
The unstable joint that caused the bunion is permanently secured with two low-profile titanium plates, addressing the root cause of the deformity.
Because the correction is plated and stable, most patients can bear weight in a surgical boot within days to weeks — your surgeon will set your individual plan.
We believe in conservative care first. Many bunions can be managed without surgery — with footwear changes, padding, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory treatment. Surgery enters the conversation when your bunion is progressive, painful, and limiting your life despite those measures.
At your consultation, our board-certified podiatric physicians and surgeons — with nearly three decades of experience treating foot and ankle conditions in the South Chicago suburbs — will examine your foot, take weight-bearing X-rays, and give you an honest assessment of whether Lapiplasty, another procedure, or continued conservative care is the right path.
Traditional procedures cut the bone and shift it sideways to reduce the bump — a 2D fix for a 3D problem. Lapiplasty rotates the entire bone back into alignment in all three planes and fuses the unstable joint that caused the drift, addressing the root cause rather than the symptom.
Because the correction is secured with titanium plating, most patients are walking in a protective boot within days to weeks of surgery — significantly earlier than the extended non-weight-bearing period of many traditional procedures. Recovery varies by patient; your surgeon will give you a specific timeline.
Bunion surgery is typically covered by insurance when it's medically necessary. Our staff will verify your benefits before your procedure — see our insurance page or call us to check your plan.
Consultation spots for Lapiplasty are limited. Book online or call (708) 799-7500 — Homewood, South Chicago Heights & Mokena.