Lapiplasty® Bunion Correction Surgery in Montgomery County, TX

If you've been dealing with a bunion for years, you already know the frustration. The constant ache, the difficulty finding shoes that fit, and the way it can sideline you from the activities you enjoy. Maybe you've tried orthotics, wider shoes, or padding, but the pain keeps coming back. That's because most conservative measures address the discomfort rather than the deformity itself.

Traditional bunion surgery has been around for a long time, but it comes with a significant drawback: high recurrence rates. That's where Lapiplasty® changes the equation. This next-generation procedure corrects the bunion in three dimensions, targeting the unstable joint at its root. The result is a more stable correction with a lower risk of the bunion returning.

At Neville Foot and Ankle Centers, we train our Montgomery County podiatrists in the Lapiplasty® system, making the surgical correction accessible to patients throughout the Greater Houston area. Here's what you should know about bunions, this procedure, from your first evaluation through recovery. 

What Is Lapiplasty® and How Is It Different From Traditional Bunion Treatments? 

Bunions form when a bone in the front of the foot shifts out of alignment, causing the base of the big toe to angle inward and the joint to protrude. Traditional surgery, called a 2D osteotomy, cuts the bone and shifts the head of the metatarsal sideways to straighten the toe. It can improve appearance and reduce pain, but it doesn't fix the unstable joint that caused the bunion in the first place, which is why recurrence is common.

Lapiplasty® is a 3D correction system developed by Treace Medical. Instead of cutting and shifting the bone, it rotates the entire metatarsal bone back into its correct position in all three planes of movement. The surgeon then uses titanium plates to permanently stabilize the joint, preventing the instability from recurring.

The key advantages over traditional bunion surgery include: 

• Three-dimensional correction. Lapiplasty® realigns the bone in all three planes, correcting the deformity more completely than 2D approaches. 

• Permanent joint stabilization. Titanium fixation plates lock the joint in place, reducing the risk that the bunion will return. 

• Faster weight-bearing. Many patients can bear weight in a walking boot within days of surgery, compared with weeks of non-weight-bearing after traditional procedures. 

• Proven results. Clinical studies have shown low recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction with the Lapiplasty® system. 

Are You a Candidate for Lapiplasty® Bunion Surgery? 

Not every bunion requires surgery, and not every patient who wants surgery is a candidate for Lapiplasty®. The first step is a thorough evaluation with one of our Montgomery County podiatrists. During that visit, we will examine your foot, assess the severity of the deformity, review your symptoms, and take X-rays to evaluate your bone alignment.

Lapiplasty® may be a good fit if you: 

• Have a moderate to severe bunion that has not responded to conservative treatment 

• Experience chronic pain that limits your daily activities or footwear choices 

• Have evidence of joint instability at the base of the first metatarsal 

• Are in good overall health and able to undergo an outpatient surgical procedure 

• Have realistic expectations about recovery and outcomes 

There are some situations where Lapiplasty® may not be the right choice—for example, if you have severe arthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint or circulation problems that affect healing. Your surgeon will discuss all of your options and help you make an informed decision. 

What to Expect During the Lapiplasty® Procedure 

Lapiplasty® is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you will go home the same day. We typically do the procedure with regional anesthesia with sedation, so you are comfortable throughout. This surgical correction method generally takes about one hour per foot.

During the surgery, your podiatrist will make a small incision to access the metatarsocuneiform joint—the joint at the base of the first metatarsal, where instability originates. Using specialized instruments, the surgeon rotates the metatarsal bone back into proper 3D alignment. Once we correctly position the bone, we apply low-profile titanium plates across the joint to hold everything in place. In many cases, this smooths down the prominent bump on the side of the foot.

Because the correction is so stable, we give many patients the green light for weight-bearing in a surgical walking boot within days. This is a significant improvement over traditional procedures, which often require six to eight weeks of non-weight-bearing recovery.

Lapiplasty® Recovery: What the Timeline Looks Like 

Recovery from Lapiplasty® is more manageable than many patients expect, particularly in the early weeks. That said, full recovery still takes time, and following your surgeon's instructions carefully is essential for the best outcome.

Here is a general sense of how recovery tends to progress: 

• First few days. You will go home in a surgical boot and will begin limited weight-bearing as your surgeon directs. Swelling, bruising, and some discomfort are normal. Keeping your foot elevated and resting frequently is important during this phase. 

• Weeks 2–6. Most patients remain in the walking boot and gradually increase activity. Your Montgomery County podiatrist may recommend physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion in the foot and ankle. 

• Weeks 6–12. Many patients transition to a supportive athletic shoe. Return to more demanding activities, including exercise, depends on your individual healing and your surgeon's assessment. 

• 3–6 months. Most patients return to regular activities by this point. However, some residual swelling is normal and may persist for up to a year.