Five-Year Lapiplasty® Study Shows Long-Term Success for Bunion Correction

Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa Celebrates Completion of the Lapiplasty ALIGN3D™ Clinical Study

At Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, we are proud to celebrate the completion of the five-year ALIGN3D™ Lapiplasty® clinical study, a landmark multicenter research initiative evaluating the long-term outcomes of Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction®.

Drs. Paul and Mindi Dayton and were honored to serve as one of the initial investigators contributing to this groundbreaking research focused on advancing bunion surgery outcomes through evidence-based treatment and long-term patient follow-up. The ALIGN3D™ study followed patients over five years to evaluate the effectiveness of Lapiplasty® bunion correction, a procedure designed to address bunions in all three dimensions while stabilizing the unstable joint at the root cause of the deformity. Study findings demonstrated sustained bunion correction, improved patient function, low recurrence rates, and continued pain relief years after surgery.

For many patients, these outcomes represent more than clinical data. They represent a return to activity, mobility, and quality of life.

One patient who recently completed the study shared:

“I was hesitant about this surgery but after talking to a friend that had done this procedure a year before I decided I would go for it. I’ve had several friends get what I call the ‘old way’ and they were very unsatisfied; I went forward with it and have absolutely no regrets! No Pain! I will highly recommend this procedure as many times as I can.”

Another patient reflected on her experience undergoing Lapiplasty® bunion surgery with Dr. Dayton:

“When I started this journey of having my bunions repaired, I knew nothing about Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery. Dr. Dayton and I originally started with my right foot, the surgery was performed in Fort Dodge, IA prior to him moving his practice to Ankeny. That is where I continued my care with having the same procedure done on my left foot. This was one of the best experiences I have had with Dr. Dayton and all his staff. Their care and dedication to ensuring my care was A+ is one that I will share with anyone I come into contact with that may need this type of surgery for a long-term solution that helped me regain the pain free life of walking again!”

Patients participating in the study consistently reported high satisfaction with their outcomes and recovery experience. Many appreciated the ability to return to walking and daily activities sooner than expected compared to traditional bunion procedures.

Traditional bunion surgery often focuses primarily on removing the visible bump. Lapiplasty® differs by correcting the bunion deformity in all three dimensions while addressing the unstable joint that contributes to bunion progression and recurrence. This advanced approach has helped redefine modern bunion correction surgery.

The completion of this five-year clinical study represents an important milestone not only for bunion research, but also for the patients who trusted the process and contributed to advancing the future of foot and ankle care.

We are incredibly grateful to every patient who participated in the ALIGN3D™ study. Your commitment continues to help improve bunion treatment outcomes for patients across the country.

At Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, Dr. Paul Dayton, Dr. Mindi Dayton, and Dr. Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert remain committed to advancing the future of foot and ankle care through innovation, research, and exceptional patient outcomes. Together, our surgical team is proud to provide state-of-the-art bunion correction and personalized care to patients throughout Iowa and beyond.

Considering Bunion Surgery?

If bunion pain is limiting your activity, making shoes uncomfortable, or affecting your quality of life, our team at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa is here to help. We are passionate about educating patients on their diagnosis and treatment options so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

Schedule a consultation to learn whether Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® may be right for you.