I had a lapidus on my left foot in February 2025 and one on my right foot in January 2026. After surgery the big toe is stiff. Each time I started PT at 3 weeks post-op. Last year I did 6 months of PT and have full range of motion now and no pain. I was cleared at 12 weeks to do any activity I felt I could do. I went to Europe last summer at 5 months post-op and walked around in the heat with no issues. I generally walk over 5 miles a day, ride my Peloton, play tennis, and do pilates and yoga, and my left foot gives me no issues. My right foot is coming along nicely. I have no complaints whatsoever. I think the most important things are to find a competent surgeon you are comfortable with and then to be patient with the recovery. Bunions do not heal themselves. I had minimal pain until I developed hip and back pain due to my bunion causing a misalignment.
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For those of you who had surgery with Lapidus method - how has recovery been?
For those of you who had surgery with Lapidus method - how has recovery been? 1) Is your foot stiff at all? Can you move your feet without pain and issues? 2) Can you wear all shoes, high heels etc? I have severe bunions on both feet - however barely any pain at all. I live an active life and workout regularly. I am however considering surgery according to the Lapidus method. I am scared this would cause me unnecessary pain and stiffness.
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can I ask you why you were thinking about choosing the lapidus procedure? I’m just curious what makes you think that’s a good idea.? 
I would never consider it with minimal pain (that's just me). My foot pain and mobility is 10x worse after lapidus with fusion of 2 joints.
I had lapidus, second claw toe repair plus plantar plate repair done , it was a long journey like 3 to 4 months before I was walking in my runners full time and surgeon was upfront with me on that did not sugar coat it .. You have to do your exercises when your surgeon tells you as my toes were still floating at 13 weeks but then once I was walking full time the swelling finally came down.. It was a success, no more ball of foot pain or second toe pain .. I went to a Hawaii at 6 months post and wore kitten heels at my son’s wedding… I wear cute kitten heels .. I am over 1.5 months years post op going to gym, weight lift and doing 2 walks again.. I put this off over 13 years ago and then in 2024 the surgeon said I needed it done as my foot was so floppy and unstable .. So finally I did it . ( Wished I did it back years ago as that’s why my foot became worse ) .. I have no stiffness at all my big toe was so flexible after the surgery .. I had a great surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle surgeries ..
I am 3 months post op. I am also very active and have been very limited due to pain and stiffness. Hoping I will be back to norm soon. Continue pt and massage. I was cleared at 8 weeks however my foot was not ready for reg activity unfortunately. Slowly getting back into it. Went back to my karate class for 1st this past weekend and it was difficult and painful but I survived. Hopefully it will be well worth it when fully recovered with no more pain
I had lapidus (UK, I wasn't offered MIS) but I'm so happy with the result. My toe motion was a bit stiff initially but it soon gets back to full function use and I can still wear heels (I only ever wear for rare events like weddings), been skiing, do normal exercise etc
I wouldn’t have surgery at all if they don’t bother you , I regret doing it.
Had one about 11 years ago now. It's fine.
Why lapidus? Would you consider MIS? It's so much easier. My answer is yes to all your questions within two months of surgery. I know some people do have great results from Lapidus, but do some research. It is oversold, and there are some very unhappy customers.
That's so amazing. I'm happy for you. Thank you for replying!
how long before the big toe stiffness of your went away ? I’m 4 1/2 months and still, have had some treatment and doing all the things but seems to be taking some time
Probably about 10 weeks on my left toe. I am 5 weeks post-op on my right foot and this recovery has been much easier. I didn't have as much pain so my toe is already moving pretty well.
oh wow ! Good job! What type of physio helped it didn’t do much for me , so I’ve been going to an osteopath and working through the exercises myself at home
Thank you so much for your question. I am considering the lapidus procedure because I had surgery on my right foot when I was 16 years old. A failed procedure since the bunion was back within 1 year. In Sweden - where I live - they do not want to do lapidus surgery, they only want to shave off the bunion, which was a failure many years ago. I have been in touch with a specialist in Germany, saying that In my case, everything speaks so clearly in favor of the Lapidus procedure that performing any other surgical method in Germany could at least possibly be considered malpractice. I'm also hypermobile and I've understood that Lapidus is a good choice of method for those who have hypermobility.
I also have hyper mobility and was told the same thing by most surgeons that all lapidus would be needed
wow that’s crazy the Germany thing with Malpractice that’s just insane. Over here in the US we would be doing minimal incision surgery most likely. 
hypermobility does not preclude having minimal incision surgery at all if you’re doing the right procedure 
not on everyone . i’ve seen five surgeons. Four of them recommended modified lapis due to my hyper mobility.
if you did minimally invasive surgery, how would you stabilize the hyper mobility?
when you move the head over the retrograde force backwards, keeps it from moving, and you also make the cut a little more proximal to get the advantage of the physics 
thank you so much for your input
really? How come you regret it?
Got an infection post op, I’m 4 months down the track now foot is much sorer than it was prior, still swolen and numb. I won’t be getting my other foot done
I think that’s a pretty biased opinion knowing that thousands of people have successful bunion surgery every day. I always compare this to breast implants if someone wants to get it done why would you tell them not to? It’s their feet or their boobs lol I’m not trying to make light of your situation. I’m sorry you didn’t have a successful surgery 
Bunion surgery and a boob job is non comparable. One is purely cosmetic, I had bunion surgery for a reason, obviously they were causing issues. Now it’s just a whole other set of issues worse than pre surgery. No one’s telling anyone not to do it, ask opinions get opinions. I gave mine and would I do it again absolutely not. Of course there are successful surgeries also a lot of failed bunion surgeries.
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