Returning to Wolfson Children’s Challenge After Lapiplasty®

Running has always been a big 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. Over the last five years, we’ve raised more than 2.4 million dollars for the children’s hospital. However, when foot pain caused by a bunion forced me to withdraw from the event I was most passionate about, I knew I needed to find a treatment option that would get me back in the race.

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 extremely common, and contrary to the popular belief that only women can develop them, about 25% of American adults suffer from them regardless of gender[2]. Most bunions are marked by an unsightly bump on the side of the big toe. They also frequently run in families—my grandparents both lived with the painful condition[3],[4].

A few years ago, I noticed my big toe turned inward quite a bit which caused a hammertoe to develop on my second toe. But as a long-time Ironman triathlete and marathon runner, I just worked my way through the pain from my bunion.

I was hesitant to seek treatment at first because I didn’t want surgery to end my running career. Eventually, my bunion became more difficult to ignore, so I bought shoes with wider toe boxes and had to cut them open to accommodate my deformity. I even had trouble sleeping because of the excruciating foot pain.

It got to the point where my foot was in severe pain at every moment of the day, and I struggled to run. I started to gain weight and feel sorry for myself, which was emotionally and physically draining. I was so embarrassed about how my foot looked that I even started burying it in the sand every time I went to the beach.

Once I became completely unable to run or train anymore, I made the final decision to look for a bunion treatment. When I was wearing sandals at my son’s soccer game, one of the other parents noticed my foot and told me about a procedure called Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®. I started researching the option and came across video testimonials on the Lapiplasty® website.

After searching on the 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. I paid Dr. Carasquillo a visit at the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and after being examined, was deemed a viable candidate for the Lapiplasty® Procedure. I had my left foot corrected in December 2019.

Dr. Carasquillo advised me to remain non-weightbearing for about four weeks. He then cleared me to walk in a surgical boot for about two months before starting to wear comfortable tennis shoes. I was cleared for activity about four months after the procedure. Six months after undergoing the Lapiplasty® Procedure, I could walk long distances and at nine months post-op, I was running again[5].

I can’t believe how good my foot looks now! I can wear different types of running shoes that I couldn’t fit into before which has helped improve my performance. I spent the last five years unable to compete in the Wolfson Children’s Challenge because of my bunion pain but following the Lapiplasty® Procedure I was able to return to the competition in 2022. This year, I’m planning to complete the 55-kilometer race solo.

Following the Lapiplasty® Procedure, I can spend more time being active with my family, and I feel more productive. I strongly recommend anyone suffering from bunions to consult a trained provider. I’m so happy to be able to do the things I love again!

To learn more about Laiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®, visit www.Lapiplasty.com.

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, visit 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.