In a city like the Big Apple, getting around on foot quickly and comfortably is absolutely essential. And, for many New Yorkers, being able to do it in their favorite pair of designer shoes is equally important. Sadly, painful and unsightly foot and ankle problems can cramp a person's style in more ways than one, slowing their stride and making them too self-conscious to show their feet or wear the open-toed shoes they love.
Thankfully, people in this position don't have to accept sore, ugly, or misshapen feet as the new normal. At Central Park SOLE, our esteemed podiatrists offer innovative surgical solutions to restore the health and appearance of the feet, toes, and toenails.
Our Boutique Wellness Center Provides Patient-Focused Care
While many podiatry practices treat surgery as a last resort that's only recommended when more conservative treatments fail, Central Park SOLE provides patient-focused care. Our highly skilled podiatric surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures with cosmetic skin closure to give patients immediate results without the need for long recovery periods. Rather than putting patients through weeks or months of tedious traditional therapies, we offer effective, cutting-edge surgical options at the beginning of treatment, so patients can reach their goals faster and with much less pain and effort.
Here are some of the conditions we can treat surgically, as well as examples of the advanced procedures used at our practice.
Bunions
Bunions are a condition that can affect the toes. It is one of the most common foot problems. On average, 10%-25% of people have or will experience a bunion in their lifetime. A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint where the foot and big toe meet. Some people may experience bunionettes that form on the side of the pinky toe.
This stubborn, painful condition develops due to a misalignment of the bones at the front of the foot that forces the tip of the big toe toward the smaller toes, causing the joint at the base to jut out. Bunions can make basic tasks like wearing shoes and walking excruciating.
We offer a range of minimally invasive surgical treatments for bunions, including Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction.
Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction
Unlike traditional bunion surgeries that only address the cosmetic aspect of the condition, unnaturally cutting and shifting bone to minimize the unsightly bump, Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction is a revolutionary surgical technique that realigns and secures the unstable joint that causes the deformity.
This new approach offers numerous benefits compared to a conventional Lapidus bunionectomy, including dramatically shortening recovery time. Whereas standard bunion surgery requires patients to stay off their feet for a full 6 to 8 weeks, many Lapiplasty patients can get back on their feet (with the help of a walking boot) within two weeks. Also, because Lapiplasty corrects the bunion's underlying cause, recurrence is rare.
What to Expect with Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery in NYC
If you choose Dr. Schaeffer as your Lapiplasty bunion surgeon in New York, here's a general overview of what you can expect:
- Initial Consultation about Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: You'll meet with Dr. Schaeffer to discuss your bunion symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. He'll thoroughly examine your foot, including X-rays, to determine if you're a good candidate for Lapiplasty surgery.
- Customized Surgical Planning for Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: Dr. Schaeffer will use advanced imaging to visualize your specific foot anatomy and bunion deformity in three dimensions. This allows him to plan the exact movements needed to restore bone alignment and joint congruency for optimal results.
- Outpatient Procedure for Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: Lapiplasty bunion surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under regional or general anesthesia. Through small incisions, Dr. Schaeffer rotates the deviated metatarsal bone into the correct position and fixes it in place using special titanium plates. The whole surgery usually takes less than an hour.
- Rapid Recovery for Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: Compared to traditional bunion surgery, which can involve 6-8 weeks of casts and crutches, recovery after Lapiplasty is much quicker. Most patients can start bearing weight on their operated foot within a few days with the help of a special surgical boot. Stitches are removed after about two weeks.
- Return to Activity After Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: Many patients can return to regular shoes and activities within 6-8 weeks after Lapiplasty surgery. Dr. Schaeffer and his team will guide you through the recovery process and help you gradually progress to more advanced exercises to rebuild your strength and range of motion.
- Follow-Up Care After Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: After Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery: Dr. Schaeffer will continue to monitor your healing and progress through regular follow-up appointments. By the 3-month mark, most patients have achieved their full surgical result and no longer have any functional limitations due to their prior bunion.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a deformity that makes affected toes bend or curl downward. Caused by an imbalance in the muscles, ligaments, or tendons that keep toes straight, the condition can be extremely painful. At Central Park SOLE, we specialize in minimally invasive surgical hammertoe correction with cosmetic closure.
Types of Hammer Toes:
Hammer toes are caused by an imbalance in the muscles, ligaments, or tendons that keep toes straight, and this condition can be extremely painful. There are three types of hammer toe, and each one varies in severity:
- Flexible. This is where the patient can still move or wiggle the toe despite there being a bend at the joint.
- Semirigid. In this type of hammer toe, the affected toe is semi-flexible but much stiffer than a flexible hammer toe
- Rigid. Finally, this is where the toe is curled and unable to be moved or uncurled.
These types describe the severity of the hammer toe. Often, patients can use pads and other accommodative measures to reduce the pain in a flexible hammer toe. The more rigid they are, usually the more painful they are.
Flat Feet
Patients with flat feet have little to no arch, which causes the entire sole to touch the floor when standing or walking. This can put painful pressure on the fatty pads on the bottoms of your feet.
HyProCure
HyProCure corrects the misalignment of the heel and ankle bones that cause flat feet. This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a small titanium stent into the space between the heel and ankle bones, relieving pain and restoring function. Additional benefits include a high success rate and quick recovery.
Arthritis
When joint inflammation causes pain and stiffness in the feet that make daily activities difficult, Central Park SOLE offers a variety of effective surgical solutions, including Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implants and fusion of the affected bones.
Plastic Surgery
At Central Park SOLE, we're committed to helping our patient's feet look and feel fabulous. All of our podiatric surgeons specialize in plastic surgery closure techniques to give patients the best cosmetic results possible.
Request an Appointment With One of Our NYC Podiatric Surgeons
Don't spend another day in pain. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. We'll perform a thorough evaluation, discuss your goals and surgical options, and chart a course to improve the health and appearance of your feet.