3D bunion correction now available in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Drs. Thomas Pignetti and Fernando Fernandez recently became the first surgeons in The Woodlands area to perform the Lapiplasty®, a revolutionary new bunion procedure. The Lapiplasty® uses specially designed instrumentation to precisely correct bunions in all three dimensions at the root of the problem.

Bunions are a frequently occurring problem resulting in approximately 400,000 surgeries performed in the U.S. annually. A common misconception is that they are just a simple overgrowth of bone at the base of the big toe that can simply be “shaved off”. In reality, bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint in the middle of the foot. With an unstable foundation, the bone can rotate out of alignment in three dimensions and form the painful “bump” at the base of the big toe.

While traditional bunion surgery typically involves either shaving off the “bump” or cutting and shifting the bone, either approach is a 2D solution for a 3D problem that potentially leaves an unstable joint at its foundation. This increases the likelihood that the bunion deformity may return in the future. The Lapiplasty® Procedure, however, utilizes specially designed instrumentation to correct the deformity in three dimensions, restoring the foot to its proper alignment while naturally removing the bump and straightening the toe. Once the deformity is corrected, innovative low profile plating technology is used to permanently secure the unstable joint in place. Most patients are able to walk within days of surgery without casts; allowing them to get back to shoes of their choice and activities more quickly.

Only a surgeon can tell if the Lapiplasty® Procedure is right for a patient and not everyone is a good candidate for bunion surgery. Call Advanced Foot Care at (281) 292-7000 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pignetti or Dr. Fernandez or visit www.footspecialist.com for more information.