What Is Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction?
Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction is a surgical technique that repositions the bone behind the big toe in all three dimensions, then secures it with fixation designed to hold the corrected alignment while the bone heals. It addresses the root of the deformity rather than the visible bump alone.
Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney offers Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction, and the practice is designated an Elite Center for Lapiplasty Excellence.
Why a Bunion Is Not Just a Bump
The prominence you can see is the visible result of a bone that has drifted and rotated out of position. The rotation is the part most people never hear about.
A correction that only removes the bump leaves that rotation in place, which is one reason bunions can gradually return after older procedures.
How the Technique Works
The procedure repositions the bone at the joint where the deformity originates rather than further down the foot.
The core elements are:
- Correction in three planes, including rotation
- Stabilization at the joint where the drift begins
- Fixation intended to maintain alignment during healing
- Planning supported by three dimensional imaging
The aim is a correction built to last. No technique removes the possibility of recurrence entirely.
Where Patient-Specific Instrumentation Fits
Precision begins before the operating room. Patient-Specific Instrumentation with 3D scanning maps the correction to your own bone position in advance.
That means fewer judgments made by estimation during the procedure and a more consistent approach from case to case.
Who Qualifies
Not every patient is a candidate, and a consultation with imaging is what determines it.
Your surgeon evaluates:
- The severity and rotation of the deformity on X-ray
- The condition of the big toe joint
- Bone quality and general health
- Your activity level and what you want to return to
Some patients are better served by a different technique, and a good surgeon will say so.
Who Performs It Here
Dr. Mojgan Tavakoli and Dr. Horst Knapp have performed hundreds of Lapiplasty procedures for patients across Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and the greater DFW area.
Both are fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and board certified in foot surgery as well as reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery.
From Our Surgical Team
"The question I want patients asking is not which brand of surgery they are getting," says Dr. Tavakoli. "It is whether the plan corrects everything that is actually wrong with that foot. Sometimes this is the answer. Sometimes it is not."
Frequently Asked Questions About Lapiplasty
How is Lapiplasty different from a traditional bunionectomy?
Traditional approaches often focus on removing the prominence and realigning at the joint near the toe. Lapiplasty corrects rotation and position at the joint further back where the deformity begins. Which is appropriate depends on your imaging.
How long is recovery?
Most patients move through protected weight bearing in a boot, then gradually back into supportive shoes over roughly two to three months, with continued improvement beyond that. Timelines vary by patient. Your surgeon will give you a personalized estimate.
Will my bunion definitely not come back?
No procedure can promise that. Correcting rotation is designed to reduce the likelihood of recurrence compared with techniques that address only the bump. Individual outcomes still depend on healing, activity, and following post-operative instructions.
Find Out If You Qualify
Our surgeons see bunion patients across Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and nearby Plano, Texas.
Schedule your evaluation or call 972-712-7773 to review your imaging with a surgeon.