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Lee’s Summit resident, Todd H., had been dealing with a bunion and hammertoes on his left foot for several years. A common foot deformity, bunions are bumps formed along the inside of the foot, at the base of the big toe.
An untreated bunion can lead to further problems, including hammertoes. In Todd’s case, the overlapping second toe was one of his biggest concerns.
“It was just getting worse as time went on. I could no longer play tennis or run. I tried switching to bigger shoes, but it was only a temporary fix,” adds Todd.
After learning about Dr. Joel Foster in an advertisement in the local Lee’s Summit Lifestyle magazine, Todd decided to schedule an appointment with his office.
“Todd definitely presented a unique case. In addition to performing a minimally invasive bunion correction surgery, we realigned his lesser toes through a small osteotomy in each toe and performed an additional osteotomy 5th metatarsal,” adds Dr. Joel Foster.
Under fluoroscopic guidance, which provides real-time x-ray imaging of the foot and the joints, Dr. Foster performed osteotomies to reposition each toe, as well as the 1st and 5th metatarsals. Once completed, the toes were able to be moved plantarly and laterally into the corrected position.
Realigning and Restoring Balance with EOTTS Procedure
In an effort to further stabilize the alignment of the foot and reduce destabilizing pressure on the forefoot, Dr. Foster performed an Extra-Osseous Talotarsal Joint Stabilization (EOTTS) procedure on Todd. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves placing a small titanium stent in the naturally occurring space between the ankle and heel bones to stabilize foot alignment.
“It’s amazing how such a small procedure can realign the rearfoot and drastically improve the arch position,” adds Dr. Foster.
Todd’s Recovery Process, Advice for Others
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Todd is currently 10 weeks post-op and his recovery process is going well.
“My lifestyle has definitely improved, and it’s only getting better. I’m starting to jog a little too.”
“If you have foot issues, I would recommend that you visit with a specialist in ‘feet.’ Before meeting with Dr. Foster, I visited an orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation and his recommendations. He suggested bunion surgery, which would require a long recovery time. His other alternative was removal of my second toe and the recovery time would be a couple of weeks,” adds Todd.
“Amputation is irreversible, and a second opinion may provide reassurance while identifying less invasive alternatives that preserve the toe,” adds Dr. Foster.
The combination of advanced technology, specialized training and extensive experience makes Dr. Foster uniquely qualified to perform complex foot surgeries through minimally invasive approaches that many surgeons simply cannot offer.
Dr. Foster’s approach offers distinct advantages over traditional open surgery. Smaller incisions measuring just three to four millimeters mean less tissue trauma and reduced risk of infection. Patients experience significantly less post-operative pain and swelling compared to conventional surgical methods.
“I would recommend Dr. Foster. He spends the time making sure everything is understood and listens well. His staff was great…very warm, friendly and on top of things,” adds Todd.
Why 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! Complete the form at the top of this page to schedule your consultation today!