What if you were told, as an adult, that you had been living with a severe leg deformity and never knew it?
That’s exactly what happened to avid marathon runner and OrthoIndy patient Tom Raley.
What began as a torn meniscus in his left knee led to a diagnosis he never expected: severe bowleggedness caused by a congenital deformity.
“I was shocked,” says Tom. “I never suspected it.”
As he recovered from his meniscus injury, physicians advised Tom that unless he corrected the alignment issue, he’d likely tear his meniscus again and potentially cause long-term damage.
Initial providers he consulted could offer braces and physical therapy, but Tom was looking for a permanent solution – one that would enable him to continue running and training for marathons.
That search led him to OrthoIndy and Dr. Stephen Greenfield, a dual-fellowship-trained surgeon who specializes in limb deformity correction.
Thoughtful Personalization of Care
Initially, Tom was referred for a proximal tibial osteotomy, which involves internal plates and screws, to correct his leg alignment, but after reviewing imaging and evaluating the severity of the deformity, Dr. Greenfield recommended a more comprehensive solution.
He suggested using a computer-guided external fixation device to incrementally correct his multi-planar deformity over several weeks.
“Dr. Greenfield explained that he would need to break my leg and attach it to an external frame with pistons that would gradually realign it,” says Tom. “I was nervous at first, but Dr. Greenfield thoroughly explain the entire process to me.”
After deciding to move forward, Tom underwent surgery in May 2025. One week later, he began following a computer-generated program that guided him through daily frame adjustments.
“It required commitment,” says Tom. “I couldn’t wear regular pants as I had to keep the pin sites clean. But my job was accommodating, and I was able to work from home during recovery.”
Running Toward a Goal, Again
Tom was also determined to get back to distance running and qualify for the 2027 Boston Marathon. Prior to his surgery, he’d posted good times at qualifying events in Chicago and Seattle.
He hoped to do even better following his leg realignment and shared his goals with Dr. Greenfield, who adjusted Tom’s care plan to support his active lifestyle.
“I’d never heard of a doctor doing that for a patient before,” says Tom. “He really took my goals seriously.”
Four months post-surgery, the frame was removed, and Tom transitioned to walking with a brace and crutches to rebuild strength. In early November 2025, Dr. Greenfield cleared him to begin light running.
Tom worked his way back up to several miles a day, three times a week and continues to build endurance.“I’m getting stronger,” he says.
A Positive Experience – Even with a Major Surgery
Despite the complexity of his procedure and the commitment required for full recovery, Tom describes his experience as overwhelmingly positive.
“Even though this was a significant surgery, it was a great experience with good pain management,” he says.” “It wasn’t nearly as bad as it sounds.”
For Tom, correcting severe leg deformity didn’t just protect his knee. It also gave him confidence that his running goals are within reach.
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