A return to an active lifestyle after foot surgery

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Brad Bonin, 67, of Clear Lake, Iowa has been physically active throughout his life, but debilitating pain in his left foot stopped him in his tracks.

He admits that although the pain negatively affected his active lifestyle, he put off going to see a doctor. “I figured the pain was just arthritis or a bunion, but it turned out to be a lot more serious.”

This wasn’t the first time Brad delayed care for himself, “I did the same thing with my knee a few years ago, waited until the pain was so bad I couldn’t stand it. I should have gone in earlier, but I can be a little stubborn.”

Old injuries cause new problems

Brad mentioned his foot pain at a follow-up visit with his knee surgeon Daron Jones, MD in May 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Orthopedics Care. Dr. Jones referred him to Tyler Mulkey, DPM who specializes in podiatric surgery.  

X-rays showed possible old, healed fractures to Brad’s midfoot which was causing pain and deformity from his many years of playing football and other sports. “I was a lineman throughout high school and college, so I think the years of football cleats stomping on my feet finally caught up with me,” Brad said. His prior knee surgery with Dr. Jones was due to an old football injury as well.

Within a month, Brad had surgery on his foot. The procedure lasted five hours because of the extensive damage. The silver lining was the care Brad received at MercyOne, “Dr. Mulkey and my nurses were absolutely fabulous. My wife, Louanne, was a heart nurse at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center for 43 years, and she was extremely impressed with the expert care I received. Everyone was so knowledgeable, professional, empathetic and caring.”  

After surgery, Brad was told he needed to be very careful while his foot was healing, “With my knee surgery, I was rehabbing right away, so it was tough to wait to get back to all the activities I enjoy. We live across the street from the lake, and it was hard to sit through the summer watching people biking and running in front of our house.” During Brad's recovery process, Dr. Mulkey didn't like the way his big toe was healing, so Brad underwent a second surgery in November of 2024. Then, he began physical therapy in December.  

Back in action

Today, Brad says he’s “doing awesome with no problems at all. I work out at least four times a week, if not more. I'm back to biking and lifting weights.” Brad has taken part in the Iowa Senior Games, as well as the National Senior Games throwing shot put and discus, and he will again this year.  

He also works during the school year at Clear Lake Middle School as a paraprofessional, “Throughout my career, I worked for many years with at-risk kids. I love kids and truly believe every kid deserves a chance.”  

Life is too short—get the care you need

Brad says his knee and foot surgeries meant a return to the active lifestyle he enjoys, “I feel great now, and I’ve learned that life is too short to suffer when you don’t have to. The care I had at MercyOne was just excellent, and I'd tell anyone in a similar situation to stop putting it off and go there for care.”