Play Hard, Bunion Pain Free

Since beginning my career as a board-certified podiatric surgeon, I have treated a wide variety of problems, including hammertoes, warts, tumors and one of the most common and painful foot conditions – bunions.

Bunions are a progressive and painful deformity that affects almost 25% of Americans[1]. They form a bump on the side of the big toe that can become more severe over time, leading to worsening pain and discomfort[2]. Many of my active patients are forced to limit or stop physical activities because of their bunion symptoms[3]. For instance, many pickleball players and other athletes with bunions notice increased symptom severity during and after their games.

For more than 30 years, traditional bunion surgery involved shaving the protruding bone on the side of the toe without addressing the root cause of the deformity. However, a newer procedure, known as Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®, presents an alternative approach that corrects the root cause of the bunion[4]. This means that pickleball players, who often must limit or stop physical activities due to bunion symptoms, can now get back in the game. Many patients are able to return to their usual physical activities about four months after surgery, and the procedure has demonstrated a low risk of recurrence – 97% and 99% of patients maintain their 3D correction in studies at 13 and 17 months post-op, respectively[5],[6],[7].

Patients who have undergone the procedure are typically able to bear weight on their feet in a walking boot within three to ten days after surgery, and it has been successfully performed on people from all walks of life[8], [9]. Since the procedure was cleared by the FDA in 2016, more than 100,000 patients have chosen the Lapiplasty® Procedure to allow them to enjoy life bunion-free [10].

This month, the Selkirk Kansas City Open in Overland Park, a prestigious pickleball tournament, will host some of the country’s top players. I am looking forward to this event, as it provides a unique platform to dispel the stigma surrounding bunions, raise awareness about the impact of this condition, and share valuable information about treatment options such as the Lapiplasty® Procedure. I am excited to engage with the pickleball community and help players return to the game.

Witnessing the transformative impact that the Lapiplasty® Procedure has had on my patients has been rewarding. Whether it’s the joy of returning to the pickleball court or the satisfaction of completing household chores without discomfort, patients suffering from bunions yearn for relief. The Lapiplasty® Procedure offers a pathway for patients to reclaim the lifestyles they cherish, and I am thrilled to continue providing patients with this innovative approach to a bunion-free life.

For more information about the Lapiplasty® Procedure visit Lapiplasty.com. To schedule an appointment with me, call (816) 455-1155 or visit www.compfoot.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

TMC Inc. is not recommending any particular surgeon. Patients should make an independent determination regarding the qualifications of suitability of Lapiplasty surgeons found at Lapiplasty.com/doctor

[1] Nix S, et al. J Foot Ankle Res. 2010. 27:3:21.

[2] American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Website ©2024.

[3] American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Website ©2024.

[4] Dayton P, et al. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019. 58:427-433.

[5] Based on surgeon experience in their practice.

[6] Ray J, et al. Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Aug;40(8):955-960.

[7] Dayton P, et al. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019. 58:427-433.

[8] Ray J, et al. Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Aug;40(8):955-960

[9] Dayton P, et al. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019. 58:427-433.

[10] TMC data on file.