In October 2025, Mark Denby was admitted to St. Luke’s East Hospital for a significant foot infection on his right big toe. He was having issues walking and the pain was being felt throughout his entire right leg. Mark tried other treatment options, including cleaning the wound using over-the-counter ointments, but it only delayed the inevitable.
“I met Mark at the hospital and continued his care at my office. He was dealing with a significant infection, so we were able to treat it with antibiotics and good wound care. However, he was continuing to endure quite a bit of pressure under his great toe, and there was an area on the ball of his foot that concerned me with ulcers returning,” adds Dr. Joel Foster.
After a thorough consultation with Mark to assess his overall foot structure, as well as discussing his limitations and treatment options, Dr. Foster scheduled minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures to prevent the affected areas from becoming calluses and wounds, and to relieve the pain that he was having.
Akin Osteotomy, Tendon Release Procedures
One of the first issues Dr. Foster addressed was the pressure Mark had under his big toe. The joint didn't bend up very well, and there was a lot of resistance from the flexor tendon.
“I performed a slight release to lengthen the flexor tendon and to allow the big toe to set-up. I also made a tiny incision (diameter of a ballpoint pen) and made a little cut in the bone to elevate it, which eliminated the pressure completely,” adds Dr. Foster.
The other issue was the pressure below the fourth metatarsal bone. Mark experienced pain and Dr. Foster was concerned about an ulcer or wound developing there, as there were clear signs of significant pressure and developing pressure wounds in this area of his foot.
“Similarly, I made a tiny incision and cut in that bone to allow it to elevate. Our risk is that all the pressure would be transferred to the other metatarsal bones. So I made a little cut in each one of the other bones allowing all of those bones to elevate the same amount.”
In the end, Dr. Foster was able to eliminate all the pressure through MIS techniques. No sutures, no pins, no screws. He simply splinted the toes in the correct position and allowed them to heal naturally.
“Remarkably, there was no real pain during the entire procedure. Dr. Foster did an amazing job,” adds Denby.
Learn more about these minimally invasive procedures in the video below, as Dr. Foster provides an informative step-by-step demonstration of his technique in resolving Mark’s issues.
Quick Recovery Process, Professional Staff
The recovery process has been good for Mark, even faster than he thought it would.
“It is very rewarding to be able not only to heal a wound, but to actually solve the underlying pressure problem in an effort to prevent my patients from having the wound return in the future,” adds Dr. Foster.
“Dr. Foster and his staff are so caring and friendly. They really helped me get to where I needed to be and to walk normal again.”
“My lifestyle has definitely improved. I do a lot of volunteer work with the Scouts, and I’m back to hiking, camping and living a normal life,” adds Denby.
Mark would definitely recommend these MIS procedures to others, if they are experiencing the same issues.
“Absolutely, speak with Dr. Foster and he will get you going in the right direction. I enjoyed working with Dr. Foster and his staff. It might be odd to say, but I miss my appointment times. They are all wonderful people,” adds Denby.
Why Choose Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgical techniques offer significant advantages over traditional open surgeries, including:
-
Lower risk of infection and complications. Smaller incisions mean less opportunity for undesirable microorganisms to enter your body.
-
Less post-operative pain and scarring. Smaller incisions also mean less pain and swelling after the operation and often a better aesthetic result as well.
-
More convenient. Most minimally invasive procedures can be performed outpatient in our office. You won’t have to worry about a hospital stay, eating after midnight the night before, or many of the inconveniences related to most other surgeries.
-
Faster treatment. In some cases, you’re out the door just 45 minutes after your procedure, and most people can return to work and other normal activities faster than with traditional surgery.
-
Lower cost. The majority of minimally invasive surgical procedures can be done in our in office surgical room rather than making a trip to the hospital. This could save you thousands of dollars of hospital and anesthesia charges.
Choose Dr. Joel Foster for Your Foot Surgery
Joel Foster, DPM, is one of the most experienced minimally invasive foot surgeons in the Greater Kansas City area, having successfully performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures.
He is a double board-certified surgeon, earning certification in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), and is among fewer than 40 doctors nationwide to achieve board certification in Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry (ABMSP).
Dr. Foster is offering free surgical consultations for a limited time! Click here to complete the form and schedule your consultation today!