Back on Her Fitness Journey After Two Foot Surgeries

For Marlene White, staying active has always been a way of life.

Professionally, she has enjoyed a fulfilling career in education, serving as director of early childhood programs for Henry Ford College. When she retired from full-time work in May 2025, Marlene transitioned to teaching part-time at Wayne County Community College, making more time for family, travel, and her love of fitness.

“I am on a senior softball team that travels to southern states so we can play year-round,” she says. “I also love to work out several times a week in the gym and roller skate which is probably my favorite activity.”

Living with bunions and foot pain

Over the years, Marlene developed bunions on both feet—painful bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, often causing it to angle inward. The condition not only made walking uncomfortable, but also limited her ability to play softball, exercise, and roller skate. She also developed corns (small, raised bumps) on the top of her foot.

“I don’t know for certain what caused it, but years of wearing tight cleats from playing softball, which I’ve done since high school, may have contributed,” she says.

Finding relief through surgery

Determined to stay active, the 63-year-old Oak Park resident sought treatment with Nicole M. Brouyette, DPM, a Henry Ford Health specialist in foot and ankle surgery at Henry Ford Medical Center-Grosse Pointe.

Dr. Brouyette explains that bunions and corns can significantly impact mobility and cause daily pain, especially for someone like Marlene who’s always been active with sports and exercise. Over time, the pressure from poorly fitting shoes—like tight cleats—and the misalignment of the big toe joint can lead to inflammation, joint damage, and difficulty walking or staying active.

“In Marlene’s case, surgery was the best option to not only relieve her pain but also to correct the underlying structural issues,” Dr. Brouyette says. “When pain limits the life you want to live or the hobbies you do daily it’s time to surgically fix the issues.”

Dr. Brouyette performed bunion surgery on Marlene’s right foot in 2023. The surgery involves realigning the bone, ligaments, and tendons around the big toe joint to restore proper function.

“I was pleasantly surprised to experience virtually no pain as part of the surgical procedure,” Marlene recalls.

Encouraged by her results, she scheduled surgery on her left foot two years later to treat her bunion and corns—just before her retirement.

“Based on my positive experience the first time with Dr. Brouyette, once again I trusted her to do the second surgery and I feel fortunate that the surgical experience was also pain free,” Marlene says.

Dr. Brouyette explains the procedures corrected Marlene’s foot issues and involved a recovery that allowed her to walk in a protective boot immediately, followed by a gradual return to activity by 6-8 weeks.

“It’s crucial to follow post-op care instructions and allow the foot to fully heal to prevent complications,” she notes. “Marlene was a patient that was so compliant she made my job easy and her recovery seamless. I’m so glad Marlene had a smooth, pain-free experience—and that she can now get back to doing the things she loves without foot pain holding her back.”

Marlene’s road back to fitness

Marlene’s determination and expert surgical care allowed her to get back on her feet faster than expected.

“Being very active, I’m thankful that I was even able to start exercising in the gym a little sooner than expected and I hope to participate in the senior softball world tournament in Utah in the winter,” she says. “I even put my roller skates on and went around the rink once and expect that I will get back to enjoying roller skating on a more regular basis in the near future.”

Marlene says her positive experience with Dr. Brouyette and Henry Ford Health staff has been consistent. “Dr. Brouyette is so good at what she does and is so genuine. I’ve never had any issues with the care at Henry Ford. In fact, I joke that if I had a third foot, she would be the one I would go to,” she muses.

For more information on treatment options, visit Foot and Ankle Care at Henry Ford Health.