Why Lee’s Summit Podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster Often Recommends Minimally Invasive Surgery to Treat Foot Pain

Understandably, most people with foot pain are hoping to resolve their issues with a nonsurgical approach. However, this can lead them towards options that only mask symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of the problem. In many cases, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the safest and most effective way to alleviate painful foot problems so you can get back to making the most of each day. 

Experienced Lee’s Summit podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster treats hammer toes, bunions, heel spurs, flat feet, and other painful foot conditions using advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques. Since insurance company restrictions can often keep you from choosing the treatment that offers the greatest long-term benefit, his practice uses a direct-pay model that allows you to make informed decisions about your care instead of worrying about the limitations of your insurance coverage. 

6 Important Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery involves using small incisions and specialized instruments to perform surgical procedures with the goal of minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. When compared to traditional open surgery, MIS techniques offer multiple benefits for people with foot pain.

1. Targeted Treatment

Minimally invasive surgery allows surgeons to focus directly on the specific source of pain, whether it's nerve compression, bone spurs, damaged cartilage, or other issues. The ability to pinpoint the problem area with specialized tools and visualization techniques enables surgeons to perform procedures with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, only the affected tissues are addressed, leaving healthy tissue largely untouched. This targeted treatment approach enhances the likelihood of successful outcomes while minimizing unnecessary disruption to surrounding structures.

2. Reduced Tissue Trauma

A significant departure from traditional open surgery, MIS involves making smaller incisions to access the surgical site. This deliberate choice reduces the trauma to surrounding tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. By minimizing disruption to these important supporting structures, patients experience less tissue damage overall.

3. Less Postoperative Pain

Nobody likes the thought of being in pain after surgery, so you’ll be pleased to hear that one of the notable advantages of minimally invasive foot surgery is the diminished postoperative pain experienced by patients. The smaller incisions and reduced tissue trauma associated with MIS result in less pain than what is typically experienced with traditional open surgery. This often means patients can reduce their reliance on pain medication that can cause drowsiness and other side unpleasant side effects.

4. Faster Recovery

Minimally invasive techniques are associated with quicker recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Patients undergoing MIS for foot pain are often able to bear weight on their feet sooner than those who undergo traditional surgery. This accelerated recovery timeline allows patients to return to work and their general daily activities more quickly—a significant advantage for busy professionals, parents of young children, and athletes eager to resume their training routine. 

5. Smaller Scars

The use of smaller incisions in MIS not only reduces tissue trauma but also results in smaller scars at the surgical site. The reduced scar size can lead to a decreased risk of keloid formation and improve patient satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome of the procedure.

6. Lower Risk of Infection

With less tissue disruption and a smaller wound area, the potential points of entry for pathogens are minimized. As a result, patients undergoing minimally invasive foot surgery generally have a lower risk of developing postoperative infections compared to those who undergo open surgery.

Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Feet by Contacting Lee’s Summit Podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster 

Dr. Foster is board-certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Additionally, he is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a qualified associate of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.