51-year-old New London, Wisconsin resident Cindy finds solace through running. She has noticed that running is good for both her physical and mental health; helping to relieve stress and clear her head. When intense, long-term foot pain made it impossible for her to run, she knew she needed to take action. 

 

Cindy’s progressive discomfort was caused by bunions on both of her feet. The condition results from an unstable joint that causes a bone deformity when the big toe drifts out of alignment from the rest of the foot. The condition is progressive and cannot self-correct or improve without surgical intervention. Like Cindy, many patients face increasing pain and discomfort as the bunion worsens. 

 

Cindy spent years trying to find a solution to her bunions. She knew many people—including her mother—who had undergone traditional bunion surgery and were not pleased with the results. Watching and learning from others’ experiences, Cindy knew traditional bunion surgery was not an option she wanted to pursue.  

 

“Everyone I know who had traditional surgery spoke about the long recovery process and their ongoing pain,” remembers Cindy. “I feared that traditional surgery would likely mean giving up running and I just wasn’t ready to do that.” 

 

One day as Cindy was cleaning her house, with her feet aching, she simply decided that enough was enough. By that time even the simplest household tasks were often unbearable.  She did one last search for bunion treatment options on the internet and discovered a website describing a procedure called Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction^™. 

 

After speaking with Dr. James Torhorst at Torhorst Foot and Ankle in Stevens Point about the Lapiplasty® Procedure, Cindy was confident that the Lapiplasty® Procedure would provide her the best chance of alleviating her bunion pain, while also being able to continue to be active and pursue her favorite activities – including running.  Dr. Torhorst explained that the procedure involves using special titanium plates to permanently secure the unstable joint in the mid-foot that is the actual root cause of a bunion. After years of feelings stress and hopelessness due to her condition, Cindy was ready to move forward with the procedure.  

 

Cindy underwent the Lapiplasty® Procedure on her right foot on June 19th, 2020 and on her left foot on September 25th of the same year. Only six weeks after each procedure, she was able to wear her running shoes and work around her house without the foot pain that plagued her in the past. 

 

“I don’t know what people with bunions did before this surgery,” said Cindy. “Recovering from surgery always takes some patience but having this opportunity to recover and be able to get back to normal is so exciting.” 

 

Cindy has already recommended the Lapiplasty® Procedure to multiple friends. “It’s amazing to see how good my feet look – I can see how well my healing process is going and every day they get better.  For me, it’s been so worth it.” 

 

Only a surgeon can tell if Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction^™ is right for you. As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary and this experience is unique and specific to this patient only. There are potential risks with surgery and recovery takes time. Potential risks include, but are not limited to: infection, discomfort from the presence of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction with nonunion or malunion.