Bunions are one of the most painful foot conditions for patients that are active and can be extremely challenging for shoe gear.  This is related to the fact that the forefoot begins to widen, and the 1^st metatarsal phalangeal joint can become dislocated.  If you are experiencing these issues, it could be time to consider fixing the problem permanently. 

Bunion surgery techniques have changed dramatically over the last 5 years.  This is primarily due to the advent of Lapiplasty.  Historically the Lapidus bunion procedure has had an outstanding result.  However, the limiting factor was recovering times.  The new Lapiplasty system has changed this and improved outcomes and decreased recovery times.  This has led me to change my technique to take advantage of this newer system to help my patients. 

My patients have been extremely happy with the newer system. They have seen the normal recovery time cut in half.  I used to see patients get into normal shoes at about 3 months and now this is around 6 weeks.  If you want a quicker return to normal shoes, come, see me and we can evaluate whether you are a candidate for lapiplasty.  I truly believe the best long-term results can be achieved and this is correlated with better stability of the foot.  Bunion surgery has never been easier!

If you are experiencing bunion pain, I can help call to make an appointment with me at 425-391-8666 or fill out a contact form online. 

Sincerely,
Dr Brandon Nelson

American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons

Surgery for a bunion is most used for long term correction, meaning realigning the bone for the foot to function in a stabilized fashion.  Many bunion surgeries are what is called a head procedure.  This is when the metatarsal head is cut and pinned or screwed in place.  The procedure itself is straightforward and can usually be done in under an hour.  The average person will be walking the entire post operative phase and can be in a normal shoe in 4-6 weeks typically. 

Should I fix my bunion?

I think the answer to this question is does it hurt or do you have a hard time fitting in shoes or doing the activities you enjoy because of the bunion?  Most people with a bunion at some point will answer yes to this question and that is a good time to think about fixing it.  The other consideration is do other parts of my foot hurt because of the bunion or are my toes changing position because of my bunion?  Again if this is happening now maybe the time to fix it.

Is Surgery going to hurt?

Yes, surgery is going to be uncomfortable.  However, we work very closely with our post-operative patients to make sure their pain is well controlled during recovery.  It is imperative that patients get a head of the pain and take all medications that are prescribed.

How long does it take to recover?

This is a harder question to answer.  There are many factors that lead to recovery but in general.  Some patients are walking on their feet immediately and some must wait weeks.  The return to shoe can be as early as 4 weeks or longer like 10-12 weeks.  Most sports or activities have no limitation at 3 months.  

Does bunion surgery need to be done at the hospital?

A lot of surgeons still use the hospital or outpatient surgery center for bunion surgery.  These facilities can be very expensive.  My practice has a surgical suite which saves large amounts of money and time for every patient.  

If you have a bunion and are in pain, I can help.  Make an appointment with me today at 425-391-8666 or fill out a contact form online. 

Sincerely,
Dr Brandon Nelson

American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons

Bunion surgery for me is a very exciting procedure to perform.  I really enjoy fixing a large bunion and seeing the satisfaction on a patient's face.  Bunions can be debilitating and really interfere with life.  They make activities painful and are frustrating when buying shoe gear.  I have now been fixing bunions for 15 years and have truly begun to love the Lapiplasty.

The Lapiplasty is an exceptional procedure for patients that have large bunions.  It really has helped to create better outcomes and improved techniques for bunion repair.  The Lapiplasty is based on the Lapidus procedure first described by Dr. Paul Lapidus.  The procedure was popularized by Dr. Sigvard Hansen who was a local physician in Seattle.  Some of us had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hansen and spending time with him.  He was truly an amazing physician that helped all of us foot and ankle surgeons.

If you are contemplating bunion surgery I would love to discuss your options with you.  It is important to get an x-ray and to see a surgeon that performs a lot of bunion procedures.  It is also convenient that at my practice we have an on-site surgery center.  Having our own surgery center is extremely valuable to patients as it is not affiliated with a hospital or an ASC and therefore saves each patient thousands of dollars in comparison to having it done at one of the above locations.  If you have a bunion I can help get you back to normal shoe gear and activities. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

The Lapiplasty has seen a lot of attention in recent literature.  It seems to be moving to the forefront of foot surgery and is showing promising results.  It has shown to be a reproducible bunion surgery that has great long term results.  I find the procedure to be highly successful and utilize it weekly in my bunion surgeries.

Lapiplasty is a surgical technique and instrument set that allows surgeons to decrease operating time and help patients return to activities much more quickly.  It utilizes a technique that has been proven to be one of the best corrective measures for bunions.  It also provides for great fixation of a bunion and maintains flexibility of the big toe joint. 

My experience with the Lapiplasty has been positive.  It makes the correction of the bunion much easier and reproducible.  It allows for precise bone cuts and easy options for fixation of the bone.  I find it extremely helpful for young patients and decreasing the chance of recurrences.  The overall recurrence rate seems to approach about 3%.   If you have a bunion and would like a consultation for a Lapiplasty please contact my office. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson

After years of experience and 1000s of bunion surgeries I have taken some time to reflect back on different techniques and procedures.  I have seen new products and new surgeries come in and out of fashion.  Every few years a new health care company will introduce fancy new products that they want us surgeons to utilize.  I have seen many new instruments and new ideas that are supposed to revolutionize outcomes and provide time and cost savings.  It is interesting that things seem to always come back to the tried and true techniques that have been around for years. 

The two most prolific bunion correction surgeries are the Lapidus and Austin bunionectomy.  These two procedures have been around for years and have corrected 100’s of thousands of bunions.  They continue to be the work horses of bunion surgery as they have predictable outcomes and long term follow up.  I utilize both and have found the majority of bunions have great correction when one of these two techniques are used. 

There is currently a lot of buzz around the Lapiplasty procedure and for good reason.  It employs a surgical technique, the Lapidus, that has been around for almost 100 years.  This procedure was brought to the forefront by a Surgeon in Seattle named Sigvard Hansen.  Dr Hansen has since retired and is considered by many to have been a pioneer in the field.  Some of us were lucky enough to spend time with him and learn his techniques and continue to utilize the Lapidus bunionectomy.  The Lapiplasty is a tool kit that helps surgeons perform this procedure.  It has helped to make outcomes more reproducible and simplified the technique. 

The Lapiplasty is one of my most common procedures and I find it to have predictable and reproducible outcomes.  If you have a bunion and would like to see what kind of candidate you are please contact my office and I would be happy to help. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson

Bunion surgery is by far the most common procedure I do on a weekly basis. It is a very satisfying procedure for patients and can lead to great outcomes. I have now been operating for the last 15 years and have completed 1000’s of bunion surgeries and the Lapiplasty has shown great promise.

With bunion surgeries I like to see the technique to be reliable and reproducible. Additionally, I like a procedure that is versatile and can correct bunions of all sizes. The Lapiplasty seems to meet all these criteria and is seeing a large increase in execution.

I have personally been utilizing this procedure since I was a resident. It has been the work horse of my toolbox and continues to be. The Lapidus procedure provides predictable outcomes and has a very low reoccurrence rate. It is especially useful for pediatric patients and large bunions.

The Lapiplasty is a patented system that makes the Lapidus bunion procedure easier for the surgeon to execute. It is a specific set of instruments that helps the surgeon. I think this system will continue to evolve and help us surgeons to have great outcomes. If you have a bunion and would like a consultation please contact my office today and I will be happy to review all your options as is pertains to bunions and bunion surgery.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Bunion surgery has been around for almost 200 years.  There have been many types of bunion surgeries performed during this time.  The vast majority involved cutting the bone and realigning the joint.  The recent years have allowed for advancement in correction techniques and better long-term outcomes.  Presently most surgeons either utilize a head technique, cutting the bone and realigning, or a base technique, which usually involves fusion or a Lapidus type procedure.

Lapiplasty has improved outcomes by creating a system that is reproducible and easier for surgeons to execute.  It involves a system of tools that the surgeon gets the proper correction for all patients.   The Lapiplasty is a new way of doing a bunion surgery that has been around for over 100 years.    The Lapidus bunionectomy is one of the most tried and true bunion correction surgeries and has great outcomes.  It is the primary work horse of bunion surgery and is probably the most common procedure I utilize.  If you have a painful bunion and would like to have it evaluated, make an appointment today and I will help you come up with a long term plan. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Bunion surgery is one of the most performed surgical procedures in the United States.  The bunion can be corrected with many different types of procedure from osteotomies (the cutting of bone) to arthrodesis (the fusion of bones).  Lapiplasty procedure is relatively new but utilizes a technique that has been around for years.  The procedure is based on a Lapidus bunion surgery. 

This procedure was named after a Dr Lapidus.  It involves fusion of a tarsometatarsal joint to stabilize the foot and fix the bunion.  The Lapiplasty allows for surgeons to have reproducible results utilizing special equipment and cutting jigs.  I find Lapiplasty to be a reliable tool for bunion correction.  Especially useful in large bunion cases and with people that have had long standing bunions.  If you have a large bunion and would like to speak with a Lapiplasty Surgeon please contact my office and we can see if you are a candidate. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Bunion surgery is by far the most common surgery I perform. In an average year I fix approximately 100-200 bunions. I have been operating now for 15 years and that adds up to a lot of bunions. That is why I am excited about a new option for helping my patients with bunions. The Lapiplasty is a new option that helps correct bunions. The procedure itself has been around for greater than 50 years however this new instrumentation system allows for quicker healing times and smaller incisions. Please watch this video to see an introduction to the Lapiplasty.

The Lapidus technique to fix a bunion has proven to be one of the best options we have available for bunion surgery. We have been using this technique for years and it has proven to have excellent results and long term outcomes. The Lapiplasty technique is a modification to an existing procedure that improves patient recoveries. See this video for an explanation of the surgical technique.

If you are suffering from a bunion and are finally ready to have it fixed schedule and appointment today. Dr. Nelson has extensive experience with the Lapidus and can help you fix your bunion and get you back to the activities you love. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.

Patient Testimonials: See some happy patients below.

https://vimeo.com/277107417/761e175d4e

https://vimeo.com/472737283