What Is CENTROLOCK?
CENTROLOCK™ is a minimally invasive bunion correction system from Enovis. It is built for
bunions that are too large for a simple shift of the bone. A bunion is a three-dimensional
problem: the first metatarsal drifts sideways, tilts and rotates. CENTROLOCK is designed to
correct all three, through small incisions.
Enovis positions CENTROLOCK as a way to get the powerful correction of a Lapidus procedure
without fusing a joint, so the joint in the middle of your foot keeps its
natural motion.
- 76%smaller incisions on average than open bunion surgery1,2
- 8 wksup to 8 weeks faster recovery than traditional open procedures1-3
- 90%of MIS patients satisfied with cosmetic results, vs. 65% after open surgery1-3
How CENTROLOCK Works
- Small incisions give access to the first metatarsal under live X-ray guidance.
- A guided transverse osteotomy (a straight cut across the bone, made using a precision guide) frees the metatarsal head.
- Three-plane correction moves the bone back into position, rotation included.
- An internal stem and low-profile plate lock the correction in place while the bone heals.
Potential Benefits
- Corrects larger bunions through a minimally invasive approach
- Three-plane correction addresses rotation as well as drift
- No joint fusion: Preserves natural motion in the midfoot
- Stable fixation: An internal stem plus plate holds the correction securely
- MIS advantages: Smaller scars, less soft-tissue trauma and typically less pain than open surgery
Who Is CENTROLOCK Best For?
CENTROLOCK is generally considered for moderate to severe bunions, including
patients who might otherwise be told they need a fusion. For mild to moderate bunions,
PECAPLASTY or
PROstep MIS may be the simpler choice. If the
joint in the middle of your foot is truly unstable, a Lapidus-type procedure may still be best.
Dr. Johnson will explain the trade-offs using your own X-rays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CENTROLOCK an alternative to Lapiplasty?
For many patients with moderate to severe bunions, CENTROLOCK offers powerful three-plane correction through small incisions without fusing a joint. Whether it is the right alternative for you depends on how stable the base of your first metatarsal is, which Dr. Johnson evaluates at your consultation.
Will the hardware need to come out?
Most patients keep their hardware for life without problems. Occasionally, hardware that irritates the surrounding tissue is removed after the bone has fully healed.
About these numbers. Outcome figures on this page are reported by the
device manufacturers (Enovis and Stryker) and are drawn largely from published data on
percutaneous chevron/Akin bunion correction compared with open surgery. They are averages,
not guarantees. Your own results depend on your anatomy, the severity of your bunion, the
procedure performed, and how closely you follow your recovery plan.
- Lam P, Lee M, Xing J, Di Nallo M. Percutaneous surgery for mild to moderate hallux valgus. Foot Ankle Clin. 2016;21(3):459-477.
- Lee M, Walsh J, Smith MM, Ling J, Wines A, Lam P. Hallux valgus correction comparing percutaneous chevron/Akin (PECA) and open scarf/Akin osteotomies. Foot Ankle Int. 2017;38(8):838-846.
- Maffulli N, et al. 2009, as cited by Enovis (betterstep.com).
- Stryker. PROstep MIS Lapidus launch announcement, 2023 (scar size compared with open bunion correction).