What Is the Recovery After Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery in Merrillville, IN?
Merrillville, United States - September 25, 2023 / Bone & Joint Specialists /
Bunions affect millions of people and cause substantial foot pain and noticeable foot deformations over time. Lapiplasty in Merrillville, IN, is a relatively new way to treat bunions by surgically shaving the extra bone on the protrusion and realigning the big toe. Below, the team from Bone & Joint Specialists in Merrillville reviews a typical recovery period after a lapiplasty procedure.
What Is the Recovery After Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery in Merrillville, IN?
Immediately Following Surgery
Lapiplasty in Merrillville, IN, is an outpatient procedure, so patients go home the same day as the surgery wearing a boot. They should rest and elevate their foot, only getting up to go to the bathroom or kitchen using crutches to avoid putting pressure on the foot. If they need to walk a longer distance, they should use a knee scooter.
Icing the foot for thirty minutes several times a day is necessary to minimize inflammation. It’s also best to wiggle the affected big toe twice a day for a couple of minutes to minimize scar tissue developing on its joint. Routinely taking prescribed pain medication will alleviate discomfort.
Several Days After Surgery
Rest is still necessary within the first week following laparoscopic bunion surgery, so the rules don’t change much, with the exception of icing the foot. Recovering patients can reduce their use of ice to five times daily. Patients can also spread out their prescribed medication doses to wean themselves off.
Two Weeks After Surgery
Patients should have their first post-operative appointment about a week after surgery for X-rays, with another appointment at the two-week mark. At that time, they’ll get a thinner dressing on their feet and should ice it four times daily. The physician will remove any sutures at this time.
Two to Six Weeks After Surgery
For these four weeks, the doctor will replace the dressing with a nylon sleeve to prevent swelling in the ankle. Patients won’t sleep in the sleeve, but they’ll put it on first thing in the morning. Physical therapy and at-home exercises may be necessary to help with foot movement and pain relief.
At six weeks, patients will attend another post-operative appointment to ensure the foot is healing properly. An athletic shoe with arch support will replace other walking and inflammation aids like a knee scooter or crutches.
Tips for Recovering at Home
For a speedy lapiplasty recovery, follow these tips:
- Wait for the doctor to remove all the bandages
- Take medication on a schedule to stay ahead of the pain
- Only bathe with a cast protector during the first few weeks
About Bone & Joint Specialists
Bone & Joint Specialists is a top-rated orthopedic care center with a team of esteemed, board-certified physicians. They offer personalized treatments for shoulder, foot, ankle, and knee pain, including lapiplasty procedures like 3D bunion correction, injections, physical therapy, and orthotics in Merrillville, IN . Request an appointment for lapiplasty in Merrillville, IN, with Bone & Joint Specialists at (219) 795-3360. Their business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
Contact Information:
Bone & Joint Specialists
9001 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
United States
Contact Bone & Joint Specialists
(219) 795-3360
https://www.orthopedicdoctors.com/
