Update info: Lapidus bunionectomy - Before and after

My first post-op photo of my feet. The left foot is not only straight but the long bone in the big toe phalange was reset so it provides a solid base when I walk.

left foot - AFTER

I finally decided it was time to have surgery for my foot because I couldn't walk a few blocks without being in serious pain and having my ankles and foot swell, regardless of the shoes I was wearing. They say it is time to consider it when the quality of your life has been diminished. Well, it'd been diminishing for years and hobbling back after only a few blocks of walking around was the final straw.

left foot - BEFORE

Pre-Op X-ray

Surgery done on June 14, 2007.Left foot - bunionectomy (Lapidus procedure) and torn ankle ligament reattached. Immobile (short of bathroom breaks and moving from couch to bed) was about two weeks.Attempted to return to work during week 3, but went back home and took that week off.On crutches for several months (long enough to be allowed a temporary handicap parking tag). Physical therapy for nearly 5 months.Multiple follow-up trips to the doctor's office.A good amount of pain (reduced the first two weeks with prescribed meds and then eventually Advil). Weight gain due to inactivity (later reduced with p/t).


A big thanks to Dr. Robert Lee and my p/t guys Lider, Bobby and Joel for making it all better. And an especially hearty thank you to my beloved LP for taking such amazing care of me. (He was quite the loving trooper.)Even with all of that, I am looking forward to having my right bunion fixed as well.

[This is how straight a normal foot should be]

[How swollen my left ankle could get from traveling and walking pre-op.]  

LINKS:


A real bunionectomy video (seriously -  you need to have a strong constitution to watch this)


A short Flash animation of the Lapidus procedure.


Surgery photos (view at your own risk)


A simple explanation of what the Lapidus procedure is good for.


And stated here:
http://www.footdoc.ca/www.FootDoc.ca/Website%20Bunion%20(Surgery).htm

"Procedures Proximal to the First Metatarsal 

• Lapidus Procedure  Involves the fusing of the first metatarsal bone with the midfoot (specifically, the first cuneiform bone).  The idea with this is that the deformity of the increased intermetatarsal angle is based at this joint, so fusing this joint will stabilize the bunion.  Sometimes the Lapidus is performed with additional fusions of other joints.  A particularly good procedure for very flexible individuals and for younger patients who are prone to quicker return of bunion deformities.  Drawbacks include its slow-healing nature, its need to be immobilized and non-weight bearing, and that it shortens the first metatarsal." 

Dr. Baravarian - Foot and Ankle Institute (great descriptions and pictures)
He was my first consult.  And I had no doubt he is one of the best podiatric surgeons you could ask for, but I felt he saw me as a case versus a patient.  If you don't care about that, but want the best hands available, I would go see him.  I may even see him again depending on the circumstances of my right foot in the future.
But I loved Dr. Lee, so I will probably see him again.
BTW - it was Dr. Baravarian who referred me to Dr. Lee.  As he said, it was my decision to make and while he would like to do my surgery, he doesn't need to do it in terms for wanting it for himself.  But he gave me Dr. Lee's name saying if I go elsewhere, he wants me to go to someone good.  And he was right.
But never say never.