After years of enduring pain and discomfort from a bunion on her left foot, Overland Park resident Betty Haefele (pictured on right) took the advice of a friend and scheduled an appointment with Lee’s Summit foot and ankle specialist Dr. Joel Foster.
“It was really difficult to buy shoes. I had to make sure my heel was all the way back in my shoe with the shoe tied tight enough so that there was no rubbing on the widest part of my foot. I previously had trouble with the skin being ripped off of that area,” said Haefele.
“Many foot and ankle conditions respond well to conservative treatment in the early stages. When padding or footwear modifications no longer provide relief, surgical correction becomes the only permanent solution for restoring proper foot function and eliminating chronic pain,” adds Dr. Foster.
Dr. Foster’s expertise encompasses the full spectrum of structural deformities and chronic conditions. Minimally invasive bunion correction surgery is one of the most common procedures Dr. Foster performs in his office and at Saint Luke’s East Hospital.
His minimally invasive approach corrects deformities like bunions, while preserving joint function and avoiding the stiffness associated with traditional procedures that require joint fusion and permanent hardware.
Surgical Consultation Allows Patients to Make an Informed Decision
Patients typically delay foot surgery due to concerns about recovery time, surgical complications or cost. By offering a complimentary comprehensive surgical consultation, Dr. Foster takes the time to focus on each patient’s issues and goals, while addressing any questions they may have about specific procedures, recovery time and payment options.
“Not everyone needs surgery. It’s important to help people understand the non-surgical and surgical options available, so they can make the decision that’s right for them,” adds Dr. Foster.
Dr. Foster’s surgical consultation also includes in-office weight bearing imaging of the foot and ankle. He is one of a select few podiatrists in the country to utilize pedCAT technology in his practice. The unique 3D imaging scanner provides enhanced diagnostic accuracy, improved efficiency and improved surgical outcomes for complex conditions, like fractures, arthritis and deformity.
“I had an initial complimentary surgical consultation with Dr. Foster, which included X-rays of both feet. Dr. Foster explained the results with me and there was no pressure to proceed with surgery,” adds Haefele.
Bunion Correction, Osteotomy Procedures
Haefele opted for outpatient surgery at St. Luke's East Hospital. Dr. Foster performed a bunion correction surgery with a double 1st ray osteotomy. This procedure involves two small incisions, one in the first metatarsal and one in the bone of the toe itself to realign the bones, improve stability and reduce recurrence.
Minimally invasive bunion correction surgery requires only three tiny poke hole incisions. This means no sutures are required and there is no permanent fixation. There are no screws, pins or hardware that will remain in your foot once the healing is completed. Minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits to the patient, including faster recovery, lower risk of infection, less scarring, and oftentimes lower cost.
“Bunion correction surgery is highly successful and most people are able to make a complete recovery, provided they follow their post-surgical instructions carefully. The complication rate with this procedure is so much lower than traditional open surgery,” adds Dr. Foster.
Better Results, Quicker Recovery
Managing pain and swelling after a bunion correction and osteotomy requires a combination of rest, elevation and icing. It’s critical to stay ahead of the pain by taking prescribed medications on schedule and minimizing weight-bearing activity.
“It was painful the evening after surgery, but not quite as acute the next day. I only took two pain pills on surgery day and two the following day. After that I took Tylenol, as the pain was much milder,” adds Haefele.
“I progressed right along as expected. Through the recovery process I kept my foot elevated, as directed by Dr. Foster. I wore the post-op shoe until the six week mark and then transitioned to a regular shoe.”
It’s so rewarding to see the satisfaction of each patient after minimally invasive surgery,” adds Dr. Foster.
Betty’s lifestyle has definitely improved after the surgery, and she would definitely recommend Dr. Foster and this surgery to others. In addition to the bunion correction surgery, she had six laser treatments post-surgery. The new dual wavelength MiS laser generates 14x more power than Dr. Foster’s previous model, which significantly accelerates tissue repair and reduces inflammation between joints.
“I can wear my shoes without worrying about my left shoe being so tight. It won’t be so difficult to find shoes.”
Minimally Invasive Surgery Expertise, Personalized Approach to Care
If you find yourself avoiding activities you once enjoyed because of foot pain, struggling to find comfortable shoes or dealing with progressive deformities that continue worsening despite conservative treatment, surgical correction may offer the permanent solution you need.
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.
Patients travel from all over the United States (and outside the country) to access Dr. Foster’s expertise in minimally invasive surgery. The combination of superior results, quicker recovery and personalized care makes the journey worthwhile for those seeking the best possible outcome.
Dr. Foster 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!