Running has always been a major part of my life. After my son, Luke, was born with health complications that required surgery and an extended stay at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, I decided to use my hobby for a greater cause. I established the Wolfson Children’s Challenge – an annual philanthropic event where ultramarathoners can run 55 kilometers with a relay team or by themselves.
On Jan. 27, the 15th annual Wolfson Children’s Challenge will be held at Nocatee Station Field. It will be the first time I’ll be able to complete the full 55-mile race alone since foot pain caused by a bunion forced me to withdraw five years ago.
Bunions form when bones in the mid-foot slide out of alignment, causing pain that often progresses in severity over time [1]. The deformity is common — about 25% of American adults suffer from them regardless of gender [2]. They also frequently run in families — my grandparents both had bunions [3],[4].
I noticed my bunion forming a few years ago when my big toe turned inward quite a bit and caused a hammertoe to develop on my second toe. I was hesitant to seek treatment initially, as I didn’t want to end my running career. As a longtime athlete, I figured I could work my way through the bunion pain.
Eventually, the bunion pain became too difficult to ignore. I had trouble sleeping due to the excruciating foot pain, and I was unable to run or train. I decided it was time to look for a treatment. One day, I was wearing sandals at my son’s soccer game when another parent noticed my foot and suggested that I consider Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction.
After searching on the Lapiplasty website’s Find a Doctor tool, I discovered that Dr. Hiram Carasquillo, a specialist who treated me years before, was trained to perform the Lapiplasty procedure. After paying him a visit and being deemed a viable candidate, I had my left foot corrected in December 2019. Within nine months after surgery, I was running again [5].
As I gear up for this year’s race, I am thankful the Lapiplasty procedure has allowed me to spend more time being active with my family and fully participate in an event I am passionate about.
Only a surgeon can tell if the Lapiplasty procedure is right for you. This experience is unique and specific to this patient only. Individual results may vary depending on age, weight, health and other variables. There are risks and recovery takes time.
For more information about recovery from the Lapiplasty procedure, see the recovery information and discuss the post-surgery recovery process with your doctor. Risks include infection, pain, implant loosening and loss of correction with improper bone healing. For more information on benefits, risks and recovery, go to Lapiplasty.com.
[1] American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Website ©2023.
[2] Nix S, et al. J Foot Ankle Res. 2010. 27:3:21.
[3] American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Website ©2023.
[4] WebMD Website ©2023.
[5] Based on surgeon experience in their practice.
